Chapter 25

Chapter 25

“How long have you known Arnav?” Khushi had barely taken a seat around the dining table when Nani shot the first question towards her. It was the lunchtime and Khushi had walked down with Akash after resting for a while in her room.

She had found Arnav already seated next to his Nani who was at the head of the table. The chair on his right was unoccupied and as much as she wanted to sit beside him, she thought it might not appear appropriate to others.

So, she had let Akash take that seat, and she had found the chair beside the man who was most probably Arnav’s Mamaji.

He had a polite smile on his face when Khushi sat down beside him and said Namaste.

This was immediately followed by Nani’s question that brought everyone’s attention to her.

“Ji, I first met him when he came to Lucknow with you” She replied, not sure how to answer the question.

She looked at Arnav who gave her a reassuring smile.

“That was barely for two-three days and several years ago! How long have you known him actually?” The question followed.

“Two months. From the day he returned to Lucknow” Khushi answered.

She noticed that Manorama Raizada was listening with a keen expression.

“That’s not a long period of time!” Devyani Raizada stated.

Khushi remained quiet.

“I think we should save the conversations for after the lunch. I am sure both Akash and Khushi must be hungry” Arnav said.

“I sure am” Akash said, helping himself with the food.

“Try this kadhi, Akash bitwa! I especially instructed Madhav to prepare it for you” Manorama said to Akash who thanked her and served some of it in his bowl.

Khushi watched the lunch unfold as Manohar Singh Raizada discussed setting up a new business with Akash while Arnav focused his attention on Devyani, asking about her upcoming check-ups.

In between, Arnav tried to involve her in the conversation by telling his Nani about Khushi’s education and how she helps her father with his shop. He also talked about her Babuji and how he was a really supportive and kind man.

Khushi felt touched by his efforts but somehow all his efforts ended up being stonewalled by Devyani Singh Raizada.

As the lunch closed, Khushi could sense that gaining Devyani Singh Raizada’s approval was not going to be a cakewalk. Despite Arnav’s help!

Another thing that struck her was Manorama’s cold behaviour towards Arnav while she continued sweet-talking to Akash.

What is that about? She wondered.

Once the lunch was over Arnav stood up with his Nani, apparently to walk her to her room.

But, Devyani Singh Raizada refused.

“I’d rather you stay here and figure out the answer of my question” She said to Arnav.

Arnav nodded and stayed back while she walked away to her room.

“Do you want to come up to my room and have a look at the pictures, Akash bitwa?” Manorama Raizada was saying to Akash.

“I will, Mamiji. But, later! Right now, I need to talk to Bhai” He replied.

“Sure sure! Come anytime” Manorama said and walked out with her husband.

That left the three of them.

Khushi wanted to talk to Arnav about them but she knew Akash too had some things to discuss with Arnav.

“I’ll be in my room” She said.

Arnav nodded at her aware that she was purposely giving him some time alone with Akash.

“I’ll come find you” He said.

Once she nodded and left, Arnav turned to Akash.

Akash opened his mouth to speak but closed it when Arnav hugged him.

“Thank you for bringing her here”

Akash couldn’t help the smile.

“I was too embarrassed to come here with nothing but empty words. So, I had to bring her” Akash said, pulling back.

“Empty words?” Arnav asked as the two of them took chairs.

“Isn’t an apology empty if we don’t follow it with righting our wrongs? I was sorry, Bhai! I can’t tell you how much. When Khushi told me that you had offered to leave for my sake, I felt so ashamed of how I had treated you. And then I came home and you were gone. It was then I realized it truly was my mistake. I hurt you, Bhai. That knowledge killed me. I couldn’t dare to even call you or text you. I didn’t know how I was going to do right by you. Until this opportunity presented itself. Bringing Khushi here was just an excuse to come here and face you. Because, even if I hadn’t brought her here, I knew that somehow, sooner or later, you two will end up together. I saw that in Khushi’s words, in the way she spoke about you. And everything that you had told me about her? A love like that cannot go to waste. It shouldn’t. So, I am just a medium. You don’t have to thank me for it. The only thing I need from you is forgiveness, Bhai” Akash said.

Arnav listened and then placed a hand upon Akash’s shoulder.

“There is nothing to forgive, Akash. Your reaction to what I told you about my feelings for Khushi was understandable. Especially, after I learnt that you..”

“Yes, I do, Bhai. I love her. But, it’s fine. As long as she is happy, you’re happy, I’ll be happy too. And I already have her friendship. That’s been enough for me for a long time. It took me some time to accept it but I have. I really have. I see her around you and I can notice what she was telling me about you. Both of you become the best version of yourself in each other’s company. It’s really amazing” Akash said.

“You really think so?” Arnav asked.

“Yes, Bhai. There cannot be a better person for you than Khushi. And you’re exactly what she’s been looking for”

“She told you that?”

“Yes, she told me and I agree” Akash said, smiling.

“To be honest, I am still wrapping my head around it” Arnav admitted.

“That she is here with you?”

“No; that despite everything I said and did, she is still choosing to be in my life. She is choosing me. All these people in my life, Nani, Mami, Mama, Ma, even my father for that matter, none of these people chose me. For better or for worse, they are stuck with me because we are related by blood. But Khushi? She is choosing me, Akash! Just like you did all those years ago. You didn’t have to be my brother, yet you chose me despite all my flaws. It’s the reason why I can’t stay angry at you or be hurt by you” Arnav explained. His words allowed Akash to realize how deeply Arnav had thought about this.

And one more time, he felt happy that he decided to come here.

“I will never let you down again, Bhai” He said to him.

“You never have, Akash” Arnav said.

Akash shook his head but remained quiet. He knew Arnav will not blame him no matter what. So, it was better to accept what he was saying.

“There is one more thing, Bhai” He broached the other topic that was occupying his mind.

“What?” Arnav asked.

“I want to go back tonight”

“Oh” Arnav responded.

“It’s Baba. Dr. Kumar had called earlier, and he said chemo has to be started as soon as possible. It will be difficult for doctor uncle to manage both the hospital and Baba’s treatment at the same time. So, I need to go”

Arnav remained quiet for a few seconds before he asked again.

“How’s he doing? How did the surgery go?”

“Not as well as expected, Bhai. And while chemo will help him, it will also weaken his body. So, I need to be there” Akash said.

Arnav nodded.

“Will chemo cure him?” He asked.

Akash didn’t answer.

“Akash?”

“Doctor Uncle hasn’t said anything but from what I have gathered through Baba’s files and my conversations with the oncologist, it will only buy him some more time” Akash’s words were slow and difficult.

Arnav allowed that news to settle.

“That’s why I don’t want to spend too much time away from him”

Arnav nodded, not trusting himself to speak.

“I’ll take the last flight of the day. Reach there before tomorrow”

Arnav nodded again, seemingly lost in thoughts.

“Bhai?” Akash said.

“Yeah?”

“Shashi Uncle had asked me to bring Khushi back with me” Akash said.

That brought anxiousness upon Arnav’s face.

“She hasn’t even had time to interact with Nani” He said.

“I know, Bhai! I am just telling you what Shashi uncle told me. When Khushi told him she wants to come to Delhi with me, he came to the Mahal and had a talk with Baba and me. He said to Baba that he is letting Khushi go because he thinks this is the only way for her to find closure, and he told me to bring her back with me”

“He thought Khushi and I wouldn’t end up together?” Arnav said.

“I think he was unhappy with the fact that you left without talking to Khushi. But, then Baba talked to him. Baba told him how much you love Khushi and you had left for our sake. He also told Shashi Uncle the whole story about himself and Doctor Uncle. Baba said if we have to start new relationships, they cannot be based on half-truths. After talking to Baba, Shashi Uncle seemed to understand some of the situation. I think if you come back to Lucknow and meet him once, he will definitely accept you and Khushi” Akash said.

Arnav found himself speechless once again.

His father had spoken on his behalf? Even revealed his true self before Khushi’s father?

“I haven’t booked the tickets yet, Bhai. If you want, I can book them for the three of us. We can go back together and you can talk to Shashi uncle. Even Baba would be so happy to see you back. You can once again focus on the school. Everything will get back to how it was exactly a week ago” Akash said, his voice optimistic.

Arnav didn’t feel the optimism.

His Nani’s words were hanging at the back of his mind.

“I’ll talk to Khushi and let you know, Akash. Right now, I can’t say anything” Arnav answered.

“Okay, Bhai. I just want to know one thing. Do you want to come back? I mean provided all things figure out, will you want to come back to Lucknow and stay with us?”

The question was simple.

“Maybe for some time! You know? Until the school is ready, I would like to be there. Spend time with Khushi and you” Arnav answered, purposely avoiding the mention of his father. Will he like to spend some time with him too? He didn’t want to say no, but he didn’t feel ready to say yes as well.

“I knew it, Bhai” Akash instantly hugged Arnav.

“If you want to come back, there is nothing that can hold you back” Akash said.

Arnav got up too, patted Akash on the shoulder.

“Talk to you later, Akash” He said and moved out of the dining hall.

Akash remained seated for a while before deciding to spend some time with Manorama and figure out what she wanted this time.

~~**~~

“I am fine, Babuji. You’re worrying without any reason. Yes, I met Arnav. He is doing well. Yes, we talked. Not yet. I will take care. How’s the work? Did you get that order from the restaurant? Great! I will come back as soon as possible. Please take care of your health. Eat on time. Bye” Khushi finished her call with her father and noticed Arnav standing in the doorway, listening.

“Hey” She said to him.

“How’s uncle?” He asked her, walking inside.

“Good, just worried” Khushi answered.

“Because of me” Arnav said, sitting down on a chair.

“Well! Partly” Khushi said.

Arnav was glad that she didn’t deny it at least. He was responsible for her worries.

“Akash said he wants to leave tonight” He said.

“I had guessed so. He told me he wants to leave as soon as possible” Khushi replied.

“And you? Do you want to leave?” Arnav asked.

Khushi read the unease on his face, the unwillingness to hear her answer.

“I can’t stay here for too long, Arnav. This is not my home” she replied, nonetheless.

She watched as Arnav reached forward and clasped her hand in his.

“What is it?” She asked him.

“Nani has said that she doesn’t want me to go back to Lucknow” He said.

“I see” Khushi answered.

“And I don’t want you to leave” He continued.

“I can talk to Babuji. Convince him that I need to stay here for a few more days” She said.

“Do you think he will agree?”

“I don’t know. If Akash leaves, it will be difficult for me to convince Babuji. But, I can try” Khushi said.

“I am sorry, Khushi. I feel like I keep making things difficult for you” Arnav said.

Khushi snuggled closer to him.

“You feel wrong. I am happy to be here” She replied, resting her head against his shoulder.

Arnav didn’t tell her how much her words relaxed him.

“I am happy too” He replied, looking in her eyes.

“Good. So, tell me more about your Nani” She said, as she adjusted herself next to him on the bed she was sitting upon.

“What do you want to know?” He asked, letting his hand rest on her abdomen, feeling it as it rose and fell in sync with her even breathing.

“All things that make her an important part of your life” Khushi responded.

“She’s been my strength. When I reached Delhi, she didn’t even ask me why. She just hugged me and cried. And spent weeks fussing over every small thing that might upset me. She made sure I was fine. Got me enrolled in a school in the middle of the year, took interest in everything that interested me. There’s hardly been a thing that she has denied me. She’s been my mother” Arnav said, his expressions turning soft and his voice calm.

Khushi smiled.

“She sounds like an amazing woman”

“She is. She has a tough exterior but inside she is full of love and care” Arnav said.

Khushi considered his words.

“What about others? Your Mama and Mami?” She asked.

Arnav took a brief pause from running his fingers through her hair.

“Mama is fine. He mostly keeps to himself unless there is something to discuss about work. He wasn’t around much during the initial years. Used to travel because of his business. Even Mami, for that matter. She used to accompany Mama but their business hasn’t been doing well for a long time now. So, now Mami either stays here or in Sydney with NK and Lavanya, her son and daughter” Arnav said.

“Oh! They don’t visit here? Your cousins?” She asked.

“Very rarely. NK has a well-paying job there. Lavanya is finishing her MBA. She might move back, I am not sure. I am not in touch with them”

Khushi absorbed the news with a thoughtful face. Arnav observed it and ruffled her hair.

“What are you thinking?” He asked her.

“Nothing! I don’t know if I should ask this” She said.

“You can ask me anything” Arnav’s reply was prompt, his hands flicking her nose this time.

Khushi held his hand in hers, stopping his wandering fingers.

“Does your Mami not like you? Her behaviour this morning and what you once told me about her on my birthday shows she is not too fond of you. How do you deal with that?”

Arnav looked at her curious face, the eyes that hardly missed anything.

“She wasn’t always so frosty towards me. Initially, she didn’t mind my presence much. But, as I started my own business, and she became sure I was not leaving this house anytime soon, her behaviour began to change. Mama’s declining business didn’t help either. She thinks somehow I am responsible for Mama’s failure and I haven’t done enough to help him. She once said that I was bad luck to everyone near me” He chuckled but there was no amusement in his eyes.

“In addition to all this, there is her fear that Nani might leave her property in my name, including this house. Hence, her hostile behaviour! I don’t mind it much. I have learned to ignore it” He finished, face filled with careful neutrality.

Khushi brought up her hand against his cheeks, brushing her fingers against them.

“You keep surprising me with the amount of endurance you have inside your heart. How did I never see it before?” She asked.

Arnav shook his head.

“It’s less endurance and more resignation! If I have to hear a few sharp words of my Mami to be a part of this family, it’s not a great price to pay. Not after my own family failed me” Arnav replied.

Khushi knew by family he meant his father.

She could see why he still refused to forgive him. There were a hundred ways in which he had suffered just because he didn’t have the love of a father and the comfort of own home in his life. He had arrived here and with the help of his Nani had made this family his own, including the good and the bad parts.

Unable to contain the love she felt brimming in her heart, she moved closer to him.

“I will never fail you” She said with as much sincerity as she could gather.

Arnav gazed into her eyes, throat swallowing the lump that had formed upon hearing her words.

“I wish I could have gathered the courage to seek you out sooner, all those years ago” He said, bringing his face closer to hers.

“Why didn’t you?” She asked, studying the colour of his brown eyes, the shape of his eyebrows. Their heads were almost touching.

“I knew I was not good enough for you. I still don’t think I am. I just got lucky” He answered.

Khushi shook her head.

“You have given me the one thing I didn’t have, Arnav. The unconditional and selfless love! The kind I was looking for so long, unaware that it was always around me” She said.

Arnav brought his face even closer and rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes.

Khushi closed her eyes too, letting the calmness of the moment wrap itself around her.

~~**~~

Akash listened patiently as Manorama Raizada went on about her son’s success stories in Sydney. He had thought to drop in for a quick visit and maybe figure out what was on the lady’s agenda, but he had hardly learnt anything.

Except that NK was earning a handsome salary and had just bought a house near the coast that he used for his weekend getaways!

And then the lady started talking about her daughter Lavanya who was to finish her MBA this year and finally visit Delhi after six years.

Akash hadn’t met any of her children. Most of the time he visited, they remained in Sydney, and he was grateful for it, having all the time with Arnav.

Akash realized Manorama was still talking and asking him a question.

“Ji Mami ji?”

“I asked how is your father’s treatment going? Cancer is such a nightmarish disease. Absolutely no one survives it! At least not for long time. What is your father’s status? With him indisposed, you must be handling all the business yourself, right? Real estate is a good business, I’d say. Always booming. Especially in an expanding city like Lucknow”

Akash didn’t know how to respond. The question was a mix of so many things.

“Yes, Mami ji. The business is hectic. I have our old-time manager Mr. Sahu who helps me with it. And Baba’s treatment is going fine” He replied, voice becoming clipped by the end.

“Great! That’s great. God forbid anything happens to Malik Ji, it is you who will have to handle everything, right? After all, you’re the legally adopted heir. You will inherit the Mahal. Arnav is barely a son to Malik Ji. It is you who has taken care of your father and his business for so many years” Manorama Raizada kept rambling, making Akash realize it was his fault to walk into this room.

He still couldn’t figure out what she was aiming at. He had already heard the variants of this conversation in his previous visits, about what a loyal son he was to his father despite being adopted and how much she appreciated the bond between him and his father. The only addition was the talk of his father’s sickness which he didn’t want to discuss with her.

“Mami ji, I think I should go and visit Nani ji as well. I plan to leave tonight and..”

“Tonight? Why so early, bitwa? You normally stay for long, don’t you? Is it because of this friend of yours?” Manorama asked.

“No, Mami ji. It has nothing to do with Khushi. I need to go back and take care of Baba” Akash answered.

Manorama nodded.

“Like I said, you’re a responsible son. However, I was wondering about this, Akash bitwa! You have brought your friend here to meet Arnav. Is something going on between Arnav and her? I always thought you were...you know? Having a relationship with this girl? Does this mean you are not with her? She is only a friend?” Manorama probed, making Akash stare at the woman and her curious expression.

“Ji Mami ji. Khushi is only a friend” He replied and got up, having had enough of her prying questions.

Manorama Raizada stood up too, smiling brightly.

“Don’t mind my questions, Akash bitwa! You know I often worry about you. You have such a burden on your shoulders. The business, the Mahal and now your father’s health! Once you’re free with some of this, you should definitely come to Sydney with me. You can meet my son, NK. And Lavanya too! She is really good in studies. Likes dancing and singing. She has learnt Kathak too, you know? Despite spending most of her life in Sydney, she is Indian by heart. You should definitely meet her” Manorama said, confusing Akash even further.

“I don’t think I will get the time, Mami ji. But thank you for thinking about it” He said, joining his hands in Namaste.

“Not at all, Akash bitwa! And don’t worry if you can’t go. She will come to Delhi in few weeks. You can meet her then. I have told her a lot about you" Manorama said but Akash was already moving out of the room.

“I will see you later, Mami ji. I just need to make a quick call to Baba” He said and disappeared from the room, leaving behind a befuddled Manorama.

Reaching downstairs, Akash breathed a sigh of relief. What was that about? He wondered. Was that a poor attempt at matchmaking? He hoped not.

~~**~~

Evening had fallen and Arnav was standing in the poolside with a cell phone against his ear. He had stepped out to attend a call from Aman who was telling him about how the meeting went. The one he had run away from this morning.

By the time he was done talking, he realized how much had changed in a span of twelve hours!

Just this morning, he had been hopeless and cheerless. Life had seemed pointless. And now he could feel the joy in his heart, the hope bubbling.

Khushi was by his side. Everything else he can deal with.

Thinking just that, he stepped back into his room where Khushi was lying on his bed and looking at his old albums, grinning.

He wondered what she was looking at. He reached her side to peer over her shoulder.

It was the picture where he was dressed as Nehru and his Nani was putting a rose in his pocket to finish the look.

“What was this about?” She asked him, smile wide.

“Republic Day! I had to recite the preamble right after the march past and Nani was helping me get ready. It was her idea that I dress like Pundit Jawahar Lal Nehru and deliver my speech” Arnav said, frowning as he recalled the day.

“It was a brilliant idea. You look so cute” Khushi said, looking at him with that smile of hers. The one that made him feel like smiling as well.

“I should hope so. I won a prize for that performance” He answered and sat down beside her, again.

They spent another hour looking at the pictures as Arnav described the story behind each of them.

For Arnav, the hour felt barely like a minute. At one point of time, he even leaned in and brushed his lips against hers, when she couldn’t stop laughing at one of pictures.

That had indeed shut her up, her face turning crimson red. He wondered how she would react if she could read the thoughts that clouded his head every time she looked at him with those deep eyes.

She had just closed the album when Akash knocked at the door of his room.

“Come in, Akash!” Arnav said while Khushi moved slightly away from him. Apparently, she didn’t want Akash to see them so close. He found that endearing especially keeping in mind what Akash’s feelings had been towards them not too long ago.

“Hey” Khushi greeted Akash first.

Akash looked at the closed album in her hands and then at Arnav.

“This would have been fun” He said, sitting down.

“It was for me. Not so much for Arnav” Khushi continued.

“I could have guessed that! Anyway, I came to say that I have booked the ticket. I will leave after dinner tonight” Akash said to both of them.

“I am staying” Khushi said.

Hearing it, Akash only nodded while Arnav looked at her with a question.

“I haven’t talked to Babuji yet, but I am staying” She said, looking at Arnav.

She could see the happiness in his eyes and the gratitude.

“I knew you would want to stay. That’s why I have booked only one ticket. About Shashi Uncle, I can talk to him once I reach Lucknow” Akash offered.

“I will talk to him” Khushi wanted to say but it was Arnav who said it instead.

“You will?” She looked at him with surprise.

“Yes. I will request him to let you stay here. There are so many places I want to take you in the city” Arnav replied.

“It’s settled then” Akash said but Khushi simply looked at Arnav, noticing the determination in his eyes. He had no intention of letting her leave. She hoped her Babuji will allow her the liberty one more time. After this, she wouldn’t ask anything from him.

Khushi watched as Arnav offered to drive Akash to the airport after the dinner and Akash refused saying it was not needed. Arnav insisted anyway and Akash agreed.

Sitting and looking at the two brothers, Khushi finally felt the peace settle in her heart. She could finally acknowledge that the three of them had successfully survived the troubles of this messed up situation they had been for two weeks now. She could see that the road, while rocky, will be easier from now on for the three of them. It was enough for her.

____________________________

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