OS - Dupatta, Part XIV, posted on 1/11 - Page 5

few minutes ago, Khushi bit her lips when her eyes fell on Lavanya who was standing next to the photographers, she had a queer expression on her face…..as if she has got to see something which she was missing all this while….

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After giving interview to the press and accepting congratulatory messages from the audiences Arnav entered the dressing room to see most of the models now back to their own dresses and champagne flowing, the success of the show being celebrated, seeing Arnav in the room they circled him and gave him some good bumps…handing him a bottle of the champagne to take sip from…as Lavanya and Jazz alongwith others, packed the dresses into the covers, many buyers have already shown interest but then negotiations will be done in office…..

La…La where is Khushi? Lavanya heard Arnav asking….

Khushi….Lavanya feigned to look around, keeping her back towards him she replied….I have not seen her around for sometime now ASR or maybe I was too busy to miss her…

Too busy to miss her? Arnav tried to control his temper, what do you mean by that La, you …I mean you are responsible for her….if she goes missing Di…my Di…

Lavanya turned, ASR how am I responsible for her…okay she does acts as my guide but then bringing her here was not my plan and I have so much to do, store these dresses, speak to the buyers since you were busy with the press, where did I have the time? Lavanya glared….

Arnav was taken aback seeing Lavanya like this but putting up a show was quite stressful, her nerves, Arnav thinks and takes out his mobile….remembers his sister was speaking with some members of the press, she loved to speak about his achievements and not to say if he went and told her Khushi is missing….

OK La, do me a favour ring Khushi's house to see if she has reached….I hope you can do that much…..

Jazz watched La giving him a disgusted look before taking out her mobile to dial….

I know he has the tendency to get onto the nerves at times but that is the way he keeps us on toes, Jazz commented trying to cheer La up, inspite of the successful show, La's mood was not right…Jazz could only guess the reason, you do not need to be a rocket scientist to see the obvious….

Only Jazz I have realized what a fool I am…La swallowed as she dialed Khushi's home no….

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Khushi returned home to see her Bua not looking amused….dekh beta I think you are stretching things a bit too much…pehle you went to work for them in the house, theek hai mai kuch nehi boli because bare bujurg hai lekin nandkishore na kare tu jis tarah se udh rahi hai, kuch uch nich hoyi jaye toh mai babua ko kya muh dikhawungi?

Though her sister looked excited…areh Khushi how is it to see a live fashion show? She wanted to know…Khushi was already feeling guilty of the whole thing, she could not forget Lavanya's look as she watched the show stopper….she threw her bag and flopped down on the bed…very tiring Jiji, can I get a cup of tea please, I did not eat anything since morning….

Hai aisa kya? Bade hotelo me khana nehi milta? Bauji asked….

Milta hoga Buaji but where was the time? Aur khane ke liye mai nehi ruki, as it is I knew you will be worried….

Nandkishore, sukhar karo mera kuch kheyal toh hai….she was sarcastic best…

Her sister got her a cup of tea, Khushi drank the tea and answered her in monosyllables …..

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It was 1030 in the night, Buaji was watching her favourite show on TV, Payel trying to wrap up housework and Khushi lying staring at the ceiling, wondering how to face Lavanya the next day when the bell rang….

Yeh kaun hai adhi raat ko? Buaji exclaimed….

Buaji andhi raath kaha it is only 1030…Payel went to open the door….ASR was standing….

Hai re Nandkishore itna raath gaye tumhe kya chahiye babua? Seeing him Buaji exclaimed before ASR could say a thing….

Khushi hai, he asked….

Yeh ladki phirse kya paka ke ayi, Buaji exclaimed….

Err kuch nehi, I just wanted to see her….ASR looked uncomfortable, he had to come to see if she was well as Lavanya said the phone is not working at Khushi's home as she could not get through…..

Khushi hearing his voice, sprang up the bed and peeped out of the room, she did not want any scene in front of Bua, and if he behaves the way he did a little while ago for sure she was going to be buried alive in this very room by buaji….

Areh beta, have you seen the time, is this the time to visit any good girl's home? Buaji commented

ASR raised his eyebrow…I just wanted to have a word with her, can you call her for a moment his temper was rising, I pay her salary dammit he thought to himself….

Arnavji bura maath maniye Khushi said she was very tired and has gone to bed, I will tell her to see you first thing she goes to your in the morning, okay? Payel tried to handle the situation in a better manner….

Oh I see…Ok …Arnav scanned the room briefly and his eyes caught someone moving back behind the opposite door in a flash…..he clenched his jaws…taking his leave he walked to his car, so much so he was worried for her and look at her didn't even come out inspite of being awake, he reversed the car in speed and zoomed away….let morning come!!

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Saying a silent prayer, Khushi pressed the bell, Arnav who was having his breakfast and reading the newspaper, looked up to see Jai Prakash going upto the door, Khushi entering and wishing him in her usual style asking for Lavanya who was still in her room….seeing him sitting at the breakfast table she turned her face away and walked towards Lavanya's room in quick steps….

Khushi one moment, he called out, Khushi stopping saying a small prayer in her usual style….folding his papers he came up….why did you leave yesterday without informing anyone?

You missed me? Khushi asked instead beaming as if it was not a major crime….

I was worried about you…Arnav wanted to wipe that smirk from her face as if she did not know….

Lekin kahe? Khushi asked feigning her innocence…..I finished my work and left the venue….

One thing show ho jane se kaam khatam nehi ho jata….there are lot of things to be taken care after the show is over and secondly you know how Di is particular, I had taken you under my responsibility atleast I should have been informed…Di was very upset….

Khushi now was really sorry, she knew Anjali was genuinely caring…woh mai kya karti I was getting late and bua….

And yesterday night you were hiding behind the door, he growled lowering his voice…..

Khushi looked around and then whispered in a thick voice, you want my bua to bury me alive or what, if I would have come out, mera toh ho jata chhutti and secondly why didn't you call me….

Agar phone kaam kare tabh na….Arnav was losing his patience….how dare she ignores him, he went all the way running to see if she was safe…itna bhi courtesy nehi hai kya ghar aye mehmaan ko….

Oh I am sorry, Khushi stuck out her tongue, I have forgotten to pay the bill actually, ggrrr yesterday I was supposed to do it and buaji never keeps her mobile on in the house, she thinks kya jaroorat since we are all in the house, safe and sound….

Inspite of himself Arnav smiled, Khushi was never short of excuses…..they were unique like her, beaming Khushi walked towards Lavanya's room, he watched her saying a small prayer before entering it….

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Khushi bit her lips as she found Lavanya already up and packing her things….

Lavanyaji what is it? Khushi tried her best to feign her ignorance….

Chamkili, you have come….Lavanya replied, you know Chamkili as I told you it was not a good decision to move in, I should have not done it and now since I know it I should not waste my time anymore….

Aap kehna kya chahate hai Lavanyaji Khushi asked half heartedly inspite of knowing the answer….

Don't you know Chamkili? Lavanya now looked directly into her eyes…

Khushi lowered hers, mai, I…..matlab…

Yes Chamkili I know it is not your fault but then ASR has fallen for you, maybe as they say opposites attract truly and since I know it I also know there is no point of loitering around and make a fool of myself, Lavanya stifled her tears….

Khushi hugged her…..she had nothing to say…..

Lavanya controlled herself after a while, see Chamkili I am a product of a divorce parents, brought up in hostels I admit I did not know many things, staying here has been a learning experience too but then Chamkili I also had desires, the kind of life I lead I have no one to blame, my ambition has got me here, but staying here, knowing you, living with a family I discovered that I too would love to have a family of my own lekin aisa nehi, I will go where I am wanted, not like this where the man wants another woman……

Tears rolled down from Khushi's eyes…she sat kneeling on her knees……Lavanya felt sorry, the girl was genuine, too simple for men like ASR…..

Dekh Chamkili tu mere liye maath row, I am a strong girl, from here I will pay a visit to my mother in London stay with her for sometime and then once again look for a job…..

Aap naukri bhi chhor rahi hai? Khushi cried…

Lavanya gave a sad smile, maybe I cannot watch ASR having an affair with another girl…..

Kaisa affair? Do you think I want him? Do you think my family will allow me to 'live together' with him….

ASR is difficult to ignore Chamkili, you have to be super woman to refuse his charms and believe me if he wants he can be very charming too…..tu ekh kaam kar Chamkili do a favour for me please….dekh chamkili men like ASR, ambitious, self obsessed seldom have any emotional bonding with anyone, except for his sister I doubt if ASR has any feeling for any member in this house even, he stays with them because his sister wants him to but you can teach him a lesson, much as I don't want you to be mauled by him, I know one thing it is likes of you only who can bring men like ASR toeing the line…..dekh chamkili women after sometime want to settle down, men like ASR will never do unless they are taught a lesson ….and women like you can teach him a lesson….

Unable to control her tears, Khushi ran out of the room, she came face to face with Arnav, who was ready for office and walking across the hall towards the door…..

Where are you going, Khushi cried out, Lavanyaji is leaving……

Lavanya leaving? But why?

Don't you know why? Khushi's eyes were blazing….

How will I know why, I am no mind reader….

But she knows, she knows about …..about…..Khushi hesitated and lowered her voice, about us…she whispered…….

The expression on ASR's face did not change…..

So? What am I suppose to do……she is a free bird, who am I to stop her….

You brought her here, she is leaving your house and you have nothing to say? Khushi shook her head in disdain…..

Ahhh Khushi, you are getting too emotional, stay out of this, she wants to leave, I have not asked her to go, the decision is hers so where do I come in….

But this house and this arrangement…..

I did not force her remember and why are you taking so much of pain, what is it to you….if you are worried about your job, we will think of something…..

Just then Lavanya came out pulling her bags, Khushi turned and ran out of the main door…

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