Part 9
Khushi Kiran Gaur was completing her seven circles around the holy fire , with Arnav Singh Rathore. Ramchand looked at both of his daughters. They were getting married at the same time and same place.
That day when Arnav left her in the market and she started to roam around the market, she got a call.
" Bapu doesn't have much time, Khushi, come back..."
Arnav got a call from his father.
Arvind Rathore folded his hands to Khushi," I am not asking anything for my son, I am not asking for his good life, I am asking for Ramchand's peaceful death. What he has done all his life, he deserves a peaceful death. We will not interfere in your life, it is okay that you do not recognize us...but..let him die, you can see his sufferings..."
Arnav didn't miss the deep hurt in her eyes, there was enormous pain behind every smile of her.They took the blessings of Arvind, Nirmala and Ramchand. Then they saw the Solankis.
Arnav took their blessings.Ramchand insisted. Khushi gulped, gritted her teeth and took the blessing.Garima couldn't control, she hugged her. After Adhiraj, she wanted a daughter, but destiny had been so cruel to her.When she heard about Vaidehi's pregnancy because of Ganraj, she even thought that she will bring the child up.She was paralysed, she had no chance to procure children anymore.Adhiraj was the only child.
It could be a male child.Though Vaidehi was the mother, but it was Ganraj's too. God forbid, if something happened to Adhiraj, the Solanki lineage would not be finished totally.
Khushi freed herself from this unwanted embrace.
Adhiraj congratulated Arnav by hugging him. They knew each other from their infancy, now they became brother-in-law to each other. There was a lack of ease. Adhiraj kept his hand on Khushi's head, "Be happy always.." For the first time they became that closed. Adhiraj saw her tight jawline.
" I know it is difficult for you, but it is not easy for me either..we may be uncomfortable with this brother-sister relationship, we can be well wishers to each other..after all we all are grown ups.."..said Adhiraj.
Ramchand looked at Ganraj and Garima.His eyes were blaming both of them. They were constantly blaming them for being so late.
"Hukam..why can't you accept her? She is your blood..Vaidehi will never accept her..look at this poor soul Hukam..it is better for her to stay away from Vaidehi. Hukam..whatever has happened we cannot change that..but why should she be the sufferer..Hukam.."
Ganraj refused to look at the infant." Take her away...you want money, you want land ..take it..but she can't be with us..I can't do this to my wife..just because she is in this state..I cannot impose my illegitimate child upon her.."
When Garima got to know about this, she came heavily upon her husband.."How could you be so cruel..?"
" I cannot take advantage of your paralysis.You are helpless, that why you are ready to accept everything, had you been totally healthy, you won't demand this ever..I have you, our son, I am okay with it, I don't want to disturb this frame.."
"You should have thought this before sleeping with her mother.."..and Garima went on with all her pleadings.But Ganraj did not change his decision.When they heard that Vaidehi had burnt Khushi, it was a massive blow to them. Garima made her husband swear on herself and sent him to bring Khushi with him.
This time Ganraj could not refuse.
" Come with me.."..he said to that six years old girl who looked at him with many questions in her eyes.
" Because you belong to us..you will live with us..in our haveli...your mother is waiting for you..your brother.."
" I have one Amma..who did this to me..what will that Amma do to me?"
His throat became filled up.." She will do no such thing Khushi..she sent me to you.."
" I will not go ..Jijee will cry..Bapu will cry.."
"He is not your father...I am your father Khushi.."
Khushi stared at him for some moments.."..Ohh..you are my father! I know he is not my real father..but he is my father..you are not...if you would have been with me, my hand wouldn't have been burnt like this.."
She said what she felt, what she went through. She didn't have a real father.What is the use? She was happy with her non-real father, Ramchand..
Ramchand tried to convince her, " He is your father..the Amma in his haveli will love you a lot, not at all like your mother..there is a big brother also..the house is big..that is a palace..I can't give you anything..Khushi.."
Nothing worked. The more Ramchand tried to convince her, the more she tried to hide behind him.And deep in his mind he also didn't want her to go. Six years with her bound him that much that he didn't want to lose her.That night she slept on his chest.It has been more than twenty five years now that she always rested her head there.
*************
The marriage and the reception were done.After two days, Ramchand felt terrible pain in his chest.Khushi didn't move from his side.She rested her head on his chest, she understood when he breathed for the last time.She also knew when her mother breathed the last time .
Till his last breath he talked to Khushi.
" Never disrespect Solankini Hukam..she is not to be blamed for anything. Neither his son is guilty..."
She nodded...."Arnav is not guilty either..."..Ramchand said.." the time was difficult...never hurt Arnav.."
" I will never displease him..."
Ramchand Gaur gave the right for his last rite to Khushi.
She put the fire. Looked at the burning dead body.Twenty years ago she saw the same view.Her mother was being deconstructed that time.
Arnav saw everything but a single drop of tear in her eyes.It was not un-noticed by Adhiraj either.Payal had nothing to say. As a Doctor she was trained to take death as the ultimate consequence of life. Moreover she had Ambar. But right from the marriage, any trace of any kind of emotion was missing in Khushi.
Arnav could handle the lack of emotion in Khushi.That would have been passed by the course of life. The thing disturbed him the most was the vicinity between Adhiraj and Khushi.They may be brother and sister but this relation has no meaning now.Why is Adhiraj disturbing the course of life which has been led over two decades? Khushi is married to Arnav. Her every responsibility , her welfare, her comfort must be envisaged on Arnav.Arnav is capable enough to take care of her wife. Why Adhiraj is poking nose in his life?Where was he till now?Why now he is interfering?
Edited by yakkudimag - 12 years ago
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