IPKKND SS: Their Khushi (UPDT: Chapter 7 = page 8) - Page 6

Heyya. Well here is finally chapter 7. I want to thank you all for reading and an ever bigger thanks to those ho like and comment.

In fact guys, can I ask a favor? If you do like, then please do let me know either by clicking the like button or writing a reply, and if you don't either, let me know also.

The lack of response is kind of discouraging. Sorry but i am kind of having a pity party here.

N who, but I WOULD like to AGAIN give a BIG BIG thanks to mt regulars who read, like and comment. I ADORE you all. hehee. Ok now i'll Shut up and let you enjoy.

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Chapter 7: Facing reality

As Rahul started walking towards where the three Raizadas stood, he sighed inwardly. He had known, ever since it had been decided that Raj's engagement ceremony would be held in Delhi, that this meeting would be inevitable. However, this was not how he had planned Khushi's reunion with her family. But then, Rahul knew, better than anyone, that even the best-laid plans were not invulnerable to the whims and twists of fate and god.

As he finally reached them, he smiled his most calming smile. The one he often used with his elderly patients. He didn't know what they knew, but he would have to salvage the situation as best he could. He couldn't let them startle Khushi with their sudden appearance. He knew she would need a warning in order to prepare herself before she could face them again. He winced inwardly as he saw Arnav Singh Raizada's tightly clenched jaw and the determined look in his eyes: this wasn't going to be easy.

- Mr Arnav Singh Raizada? Hi, I'm Rahul Kapoor, Raj Kapoor's brother.

- Yes I know, ASR answered in a stiff voice as he shook Rahul's extended hand, his stare not swaying from Rahul's.

Rahul didn't question him as to how he knew who he was just as Arnav Singh Raizada hadn't questioned him about his knowledge of him.

However, at hearing the tone of his voice, Rahul sighed inwardly again. This really wasn't going to be easy. To gain a little bit of time, he turned his attention from ASR to his two companions. He knew who they were of course. But he patiently waited for Arnav to introduce them, which Arnav did after a moment of hesitation.

- This is Devyani Raizada, my nani, and this is Anjali Raizada, my sister.

Rahul politely Namasted the women; they were exactly as Khushi had described them to him. There was a dignified and kind aura that emanated from the matriarch of the Raizada clan that reminded him of his own grandmother while the younger woman, Anjali, emanated sweetness from every pore of her being.

- It is very kind of you to join us on this very special day for our family.

Rahul hesitated for a moment. He wondered if he ought to exchange a few pleasantries before turning to the elephant in the room. However, he decided against it. It would take to much time. He had to get them away from here as soon as possible because Khushi could come back outside any moment even though he had told her to rest. She still hadn't recovered completely from the concussion.

- I assume you saw Khushi, continued Rahul as he nodded in the direction of the house where Khushi had disappeared accompanied by his mother and Shahid. And seeing from the lack of your shocked expressions, I assume you knew she would be here today?

- Yes, we did know she would be here. Well Arnav did.

It was Devyani Raizada who answered him.

- Could… could we meet Khushi betiya now? Could you let her know we have come for her?

- I am sorry Nani ji but I cannot. Not now anyways. I know you must have lots of questions for her and you must be anxious to see her after all this time, but as you can see, our family is in the middle of an engagement celebration. And it is a happy day for Khushi. I do not want her to… relive… face… her past today. I know I am being terribly rude, but I promise you I will talk to her and let her know that you were here and wanted to meet with her. And I will let you know her decision.

- But… that was Anjali Raizada who had spoken up.

Rahul didn't let her finish.

- I am truly sorry Miss Raizada. But I'm afraid I really cannot allow you to see her today, so unexpectedly.

- And why, pray, do we need your permission to speak to her? ASR clipped tone would have sent any other lesser man cowering for his life. However, Rahul wasn't any man.

Rahul clenched his wrists out of frustration. He didn't like being the bad guy here but these people were being unreasonable. Did they not realise that poor girl's feelings? How she would feel if she had to face them all of a sudden without even a warning? However, he forced his face into a calm expression and answered.

- You are guests in MY house and she is under MY protection. Hence, I'm afraid, you requiring my permission, as you call it, to talk to her is quite understandable. I will not allow you barge into her life so unannounced. I am sorry. And, he hesitated, he really didn't like to be a bad guy, I think it would be for the best if you left now. If you stay, you will risk meeting her here. You have not spoken to Khushi for 5 years. Waiting another week or so should not be so impossible.

The tension between them was palpable in the air. However, some of it was broken when, at that moment, they heard the high-pitched yell of a little girl soon followed by the arrival of its owner. The little girl came running towards them and stopped next to Rahul's legs.

- Papa! Where were you? And where's bhaiya? And where is Chottee Ma?

As her father bent down to pick her up, she continued with her tirade, oblivious to her father's companions.

- I saw her dancing on the stage but Farris came and told me that he had lost his toy. So I helped him look for it. And then when we did – he had forgotten it in the washroom, he's such a baby Papa- and then I came back outside, chotte ma wasn't dancing on the stage anymore. But papa, did you see Ma's dress? Doesn't she look like a princess? The little girl sighed dramatically and continued: I hope when I grow up I will be as beautiful as her Papa.

The Raizadas watched the daughter-father interaction silently. The little girl could easily have been mistaken for a doll, if she hadn't been talking and moving so animatedly. This must be Khushi's daughter, Arnav thought. And he knew the same thought was crossing through his nani and Di's mind because he could see their eyes growing wide with shock as they realized the identity of the subject of their conversation.

And then, someone else ran up towards their little group.

- Namaste. I am sorry but could I take my brother away for just a moment? It won't be long.

Arnav watched as Javeed Kapoor dragged Rahul a meter away and whispered urgently and not so silently.

- Khushi ji is calling you. It's an emergency. Bari Buaji is mad; something to do with Simran's dress. Better hurry up bhaiya or there will be bloodshed I reckon. Ma is also loosing patience. Khushi ji wants you to come deal with it, ASAP.

As Javeed stopped talking, Rahul turned once again towards the Raizadas.

- I have to go now. But I have already said what I wanted to say. I'm sorry once again but I'm afraid I cannot give you any choice in his matter. I will do what I promised and I will let you know her answer. Goodbye and thank you for coming to the ceremony. Javeed, will you please show the Raizadas out? They were just leaving. I'm going to go inside and see what I can do.

And with a last nod towards them, Rahul Kapoor turned and walked towards the house, the sound of his daughter's playful chatter trailing behind him.

Javeed turned and stared at them, his surprise clearly visible on his face.

- Ah. Well… euh… if you could please follow me?

The Raizadas had little choice but to follow him. And they did so silently as he led them through the festive guests. Arnav knew that Nani and Anjali were throwing worried looks his way, afraid or maybe expecting him to lash out angrily because of the way they were being treated. However, all of Arnav's anger and fight had sort of flown out of him ever since he had seen that little girl. The sight of Khushi's daughter and husband together had been the equivalent of a punch straight in his gut. Not just in the metaphorical sense: Arnav had felt it physically. And he seemed unable to catch his breath ever since.

Only when they were about to leave the foyer, towards the waiting car the driver had brought to the front door, did their silent guide speak up.

- Rahul bhaiya is very good at heart. He just has a tendency to be a little over-protective when it comes to the family, and this trait is only amplified where Khushi ji is concerned. Especially these days because of the… well she needs lots of rest and a calm environment … Anyways, what I mean to say is, if he was rude or he unintentionally hurt you, then I would like to apologise on his behalf as well on behalf of the Kapoor family. And I can only hope that the next time we meet it is under happier and easier circumstances. Namaste.

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- Khushi, if you don't want to meet them, you don't have to. I will never force you to do anything against your will. But… I think that you should meet them. I KNOW that you have missed your family. It's time you stop running Khushi when in fact there is no need to run anywhere. And I think that you actually want to see them again or else why would you have agreed to stay in Delhi for so long?

Rahul waited for her answer. When none came, he turned around to look at her. And what he saw broke his heart.

She stood next to one of the antique leather armchairs that his mother had so proudly acquired for the library. Her hands clutching the dossier of the chair, her knuckles white. Her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her shoulders slumped in pain and defeat. At that moment, she looked so much like a lost little girl, not so much different then his Asha when she has scrapped her knee and cried her heart out. He walked up to her, wrapping his arms around her slight frame.

His arms tightened even more as she finally let go of her control and broke down in his arms. The same way she had once before broken down in front of him: the night when he had learned the entire truth about Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. However, he didn't tell her to stop crying, knowing, from personal experience, that tears were often cleansing for the soul, mind and body.

When her sobs finally quietened and her body stopped quivering within his hold, he gently released her and cupped her tear stained face in his hands, wiping away the lingering tears with his thumbs.

- Everything will be all right Khushi.

- But what if…

- Shh… We'll explain everything to them. They WILL understand. Now hush.

- But what if it's too late?

- We'll never know until you try. Now stop with the tears. If you continue crying like this, your face and eyes are going to be all swollen and blotchy. And then Amma will drag you to the spa with her and make you get a mud bath!

- Ergh. Never again.

And finally when she looked back up at him, he was glad to see her features arranged in an emotion other than hurt. Even if that emotion was disgust.

He couldn't help but laugh at her and hug her once again.

- So should I call him and invite them for tea?

After a few seconds of hesitation, he felt her head move in a nod against his chest where it lay. He tightened his arms around her.

- Now, be happy. I am ordering you to be happy Khushi. I don't want your family to think that the Kapoors haven't been keeping you happy.

He had meant it as a joke; however, Khushi pushed herself slightly away from him so that she could look up at his face. And with a few simple words, she stole his heart away, once again.