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Episode 19
Shyam turned to leave but stopped to make his final comment, Ms Anjali, you still have my property with you and thats my child. One day I will come to snatch him away from you.
Arnav pushed him out of the house and closed the doors. He called security and ordered them not to allow Shyam ever into RM again.
He saw Anjali standing still. Tears flooded through her eyes as she thought about her shattered life. She raised her hand and touched her belly. Arnav understood her dilemma and approached her.
Arnav: (hugged her) Di, I am sorry but I think whatever happened is for your good esp for our baby's good.
Di: Chote, yeh bachha?
Arnav: Di, Dont even think about doing something harm to yourself. From now onwards, this baby is going to be mine in all ways. Its my responsibility to protect her by all means. You dont stress anything. I will do everything that a father would do. I will give her everything that I have, not only money but most importantly my love. As he stated, he looked at Khushi. May be to check if she is OK with his decision. Khushi being Khushi, smiled at him with tears and nodded happily.
Anjali hearing his words broke down, terrified with her situation and felt weak on her knees. Arnav took her to her bedroom and Nani said she will stay next to Anjali.
Everyone went to their respective rooms. Suddenly silence occupied through out the mansion. Hours turned to days and days turned to months but there is no change in the atmosphere. Every morning all the family members met for quiet breakfast and men left for office. Anjali spent all her day in her room. Nani busied herself with satsangs. Khushi and Payal took care of the kitchen and mami was busy with her virtual shopping. Khushi's bullet wound completely healed as well.
No matter how much Khushi tried to cheer up Di, she used to briefly curve her lips and soon after got back to her solitude. Khushi restlesly asked Arnav to do something. One fine day, Arnav decided to talk to Anjali. He went to Di's room to check on her. She is found reading baby magazine.
Arnav: Di, what are you reading?
Di: nothing, just like that some baby stuff.
Arnav: (in an attempt to cheer her up, which we all know he is no good at it) Really, what did they say? Whom does she look like? I am sure she will look like me.
Di: (His innocence brought smile to her face) Chote, tum bhi na. How will they know how our baby will look like. This is just general information.
Arnav: Really, let me read. He read few lines and excitedly asked her. Di, it says you will feel the kicks in your 5th month. Is that true? Do you feel anything.
Di: (smiled) Haan chote. I can feel her kicks. I think she is like you, a fighter.
Arnav kept his hand on her tummy and felt kick. Di I could feel her. Lone tear rolled through his eyes as he felt baby. Di, our precious little one. As he spoke, she ran her fingers through his hair.
Arnav: I am here to speak with you something else.
Di: Hmm bolo.
Arnav: How long are you going to shut yourself from outside world. You know that your thoughts, worries directly affects baby. Whats gone is gone. You sacrificed alot in your life and today I am asking you to sacrifice one more thing. That is your bitter past memories.
Di: I am trying Chote, but...
Arnav: Di, join AR Group. Come to office few hrs a day. Meet new people. I am sure it will be good change for you. Take up some minor projects. Think about it Di. I am not forcing you but I want my bubbly Di back. One ASR in this house is enough and I dont want you to become another. Please think about it for baby's sake.
Di nodded and Arnav left the room. Later in the evening, Anjali stepped out of her room to find Arnav. Arnav is busy working on his laptop in his room. Di knocked his door.
Arnav: Di, aap. You should have called me. Anything important?
Di: I thought about your proposal...
Arnav: and?
Di: I will agree with one condition
Arnav: You name it Di, anything...just name it.
Di: Marry Khushi infront of all family members by following all rituals. She deserves it Chote.
Arnav: Di, but...
Di: No ifs and but. If you really want to see me happy, please agree.
Arnav: Di, I too want to give her dream wedding but before that I need to find out if she is OK. Di nodded to his decision.
Arnav: One more thing Di, until I convince her please dont talk about this to anyone else.
Di nodded and cupped his face with one hand. Thanks Di, he felt emotional. Everything will be fine, saying that she left the room.
After dinner, everyone retired to their respective rooms except Khushi. Khushi went to Anjali's room to give her badam milk. She sat there with her for awhile talking. Arnav in his room impatiently waited for his wife and saw no sign of her. After 10mins, he heard her coming. He pretended to sleep.
She locked doors behind her and saw him sleeping. Little did she know that his sleepiness was all pretense. She turned off all lights and took her position on the bed. Their room completely lit by moon light and pool water reflection. Religiously She admired the room each day the same way before she bid goodbye for the night. She moved closer to him and brushed his hair with her fingers. She gave a peck on his cheek and whispered good night. He suddenly pulled her on top of him and hugged her tightly.
Khushi: Oh so you were acting. she asked him showing fake anger on her face.
Arnav: What took you so long. You know that I will be waiting for you. He questioned caressing her long neck with his lips, tantalizing all her inner desires.
Khushi moaned his name but as Arnav...
Arnav: I love when you call me Arnav, why dont you drop Ji forever. suggested her as he nibbled at her earlobes.
Khushi: I will if you do this all the time, she blushed as she said those words.
Arnav: Not bad Mrs.Raizada. Tough competition for your husband. He whispered in her ears.
He withdrew from her face to see her disappointed. He chuckled at her closed eyes. She immediately opened her eyes and punched him hard for teasing her and tried to get away from him.
Arnav pulled her back again to fall on his chest.
Arnav: There is something I wanna talk about. I am thinking of taking you out tomorrow. Just you and me.
Khushi: But, it would be nice if we could take nani, Di, Jiji and everyone else too.
Arnav: What do you think where I am taking you Khushi Kumari Gupta? Do you think I am taking you to some satsang? Understand Khushi, I need to speak to you something important, something about our future. I need to know your decision.
Khushi: OK, but is something wrong?
Arnav: nope, its all good and I am sure you will be excited.
Khushi: Really, then tell me now. I cant wait till tomorrow.
Arnav: Night Night Khushi.
Khushi: Please.
Arnav: Good Night.
Khushi angrily moved to her corner of the bed making it a point not to touch him. He chuckled at her behavior. Both soon dozed off to sleep
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PRECAP: Arnav dressed in green shirt and grey vest. Khushi in red saree. Both walking down the ramp in Lucknow.
Does it ring any bells about the location?
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CID
35