Chp. 37 Clearing the chaos
With his final decision taken, Rahul got up to go to his brother's room but was shocked when he opened the door. Rajkumari Muskan was standing before him. "Muskan! What the hell are you doing here? You know if anybody spots you, we could be in trouble," he said pulling her into the room and closing the door.
"What else do you expect me to do? Sit at home and wait till the engagement tomorrow?" she asked.
Rahul looked offended, "Muskan I told you I was sent away for some important work."
"And this isn't important?" she asked.
"Muskan, you want to waste time arguing? I was just going to Armaan bhaiyya's room to talk with him but if you keep arguing-"
"Okay, I'm sorry. I'll come along too," she said.
"Muskan you're not supposed to be here!" he answered.
"Nevermind, I'm still coming," she replied.
"God! Why do you have to be so stubborn?" he asked. She just shrugged and said, "shall we leave?" Rahul nodded and left.
Rahul made sure that the coast was clear so that they wouldn't be spotted. "Muskan, I can't believe this! Because of you we are acting like theives and spies in my own palace," Rahul snarled at Muskan.
"Aw, I know it doesn't suit kunwar Rahul's image but it's all for our love sweetheart," she retorted giggling. Rahul couldn't believe that she was the same Muskan who was all angry and fuming a moment ago.
"Muskan, you're laughing?" he asked annoyed. "Sorry, but I can't help it, I feel much better in your company. I feel assured," she replied and Rahul couldn't help but smile. He just loved her. He was actually thankful that she turned up because with her by his side, he knew he would be able to handle this in a better manner. But he also couldn't help wondering what would happen when bhaiyya would know about this?
Rahul and Muskan stood at Armaan's door. They wished each other luck and Rahul braced himself. He was about to knock when the door opened and Armaan stood before him.
"Kunwar Rahul, what's the matter? You here at this hour? Rajkumari Muskan?" Armaan was surprised.
"Bhaiyya, we want to talk to you, it's important," said Rahul.
"Sure, come in," Armaan replied.
Rahul was silent for some time and then said, "Bhaiyya, erm, I don't know where to begin."
"Rahul, relax, whatever it is, tell me without hesitating," replied Armaan.
"Bhaiyya I know all your life you have always done whatever pitaji has wanted you to do. Every decision of your life was taken by pitaji and you always obeyed it without a word. Even when it came to us, your siblings, you always gave preference to our wishes and desires, always got us what we wanted. So many times you saved us from pitaji's wrath and anger whenever we were wrong and we always took things for granted," said Rahul remebering those nostalgic memories.
"Yeah, but that was what was expected of me, being the eldest," replied Armaan with a smile.
"Right, you always did what was expected of you and we, we at the most admired you and sometimes felt bad when you followed pitaji's word without complaints. I always thought that pitaji's decisions were forced on you and whether you liked them or not you had to follow them. But today, when this decision of pitaji maybe has given you some happiness, I, myself am going to snatch it away from you."
"But Rahul, what are you talking about?" said Maan bewildered. He couldn't believe that Rahul was speaking in such an emotional and serious manner.
"Bhaiyya, I want something from you. Something which is maybe precious to you maybe not, but it's very precious to me. My life depends on it," replied Rahul.
"Rahul, I told you, you needn't hesitate. I promise I'll give you whatever you want," Armaan assured.
"Bhaiyya, please don't promise when you're unaware of what I wish to ask," replied Rahul.
"Rahul, I've already promised and there's no turning back. Ask whatever you want," replied Armaan.
Rahul finally braced himself, took in a deep breath and said in one go, "Bhaiyya, I love Muskan."
There was a long silence before anyone spoke. Armaan couldn't digest what he had just heard. He was sure this was a dream. It couldn't be real! He wasn't that lucky. Soon his alarm clock would ring and it would be morning and all this would be over. He would be right where he was and his engagement to Muskan would occur as planned.Rahul was trying to figure out his brother's reaction by trying to read his expressions but Armaan just stood still with an emotionless face. Another thing which Rahul admired. Even when his brother was going through a mental turmoil, he wouldn't let a single emotion show on his face. He felt frustrated. He wanted to know what was going on in his brother's mind and heart. Rahul was worried that maybe his brother was regretting his promise.
Finally, when Rahul thought of saying something to thaw the ice, Armaan spoke but it was Muskan that he addressed, "Rajkumari Muskan, do you love Kunwar Rahul too?"
Muskan, who had been silent uptil now finally spoke, but only a monosyllable, "Yes."
Armaan was shocked, "Then why didn't you tell me about this before? Why did you not refuse to this alliance in the first place?"
"Because it was a huge misunderstanding on my part, Kunwar Armaan," she replied quietly.
"Misunderstanding?" he queried.
"Yes bhaiyya," said Rahul and he launched into the whole story of how it started, what went wrong, how and where.
When he finished, Armaan stood shocked. He still couldn't believe all that he had heard. It seemed indigestible.
"Kunwar Armaan, please refuse this alliance. If you don't do so, three lives would be ruined," said Muskan pleading.
Wrong, four lives would be ruined, thought Armaan.
"Please bhaiyya," said Rahul unable to look his brother in the eye.
"Rahul, hey... look at me. I can understand and I will keep my promise," said Armaan. Rahul and Muskan looked up surprised. Armaan smiled and continued, "If you and Muskan love each other, then who am I to come between you?"
"But pitaji? What about him? Will he agree?" asked Rahul doubtfully.
"You have faith in me right?" Rahul nodded. "Then rest assured, I'll talk to him and I promise he'll agree but first we need to talk to Choti maa," said Armaan.
Rahul and Muskan's joy knew no bounds. "Bhaiyya! Thank you so much!" said Rahul hugging his brother.
No Rahul, thank you, thought Armaan.
"Thanks Armaan bhaiyya, thank you very much," said Muskan. Armaan smiled and Rahul and Muskan bent down to take Armaan's blessings.
*****
CR stood like a zombie-expressionless, motionless.She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She had been basking in the success of her master plan until moments ago. And now her son, her own son had ruined everything. He had stormed into her room moments ago with kunwar Armaan and Rajkumari Muskan and announced the most unexpected and unacceptable thing-he was in love with Muskan! CR felt her blood rush south and her head grow light. She sank onto the couch and placed both hands to her head. Although part of her thrilled at the thought of her son getting married, but the latter part of the news, that Muskan was the one he had chosen as his life partner had left her aghast as her instinct was to ensure Rahul's well-being. And moreover this was no way beneficial for her plan. She cursed herself. If only she would have heard what her son had to say when he had approached her not less than an hour ago, she could have avoided all this havoc. She cursed herself and cursed the caller. She could see her dream being shattered right before her own eyes! No! This was impossible, she couldn't let this happen. She had to make Rahul understand. But how? How could she do that in the presence of Armaan and Muskan?
"Kunwar Rahul, have you the slightest idea what are you saying?" CR reprimanded. "Rajkumari Muskan is about to be engaged to your brother, in that case how can you speak like this? Have you lost your mind?"
"Muskan and I know each other from the time when we were in Switzerland and we love each other," Rahul explained.
"Then why didn't Muskan refuse earlier? Why now?" CR tried to be calm despite the storm raging within her.
"Mom, it had all been a misunderstanding. I told you. Muskan thought that it was all about our engagement," he tried to clarify.
"Yes Mom, Kunwar Rahul is right," Muskan added.
"Rahul, Muskan, have you any idea how will RS react to this? He would never agree," CR asked making a huge effort to keep herself calm.
"Choti maa, don't worry, I'll talk to pitaji and I know he'll understand. I promise," Armaan suddenly felt more confident.
"What will I understand?" the stern voice of RS said.
Will things work out to everyone's wishes?
Will RS agree to this massive change? OR will four lives be ruined?
keep reading to find out!
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