'I have a mother. What if she is dead?'
'So, I don't have to feel miserable or something.'
'We have to learn to move on, give life another chance.'
'And cherish the memories we have.'
Is she right? Have I really moved on?" That was the question which troubled him. He ran a hand through his hair feeling uneasiness.
"Cherish the memories we have! I doubt if there is any great memory. Was I fair with her?" He thought guiltily. The memories of Ankita haunted his mind; the woman who showered her love on him and his family, who gave him his princess, who tried her best to make everything alright between them. 'She was a great woman,' he admitted, 'You've realized this too late!' he thought ironically.
* * *
"Good night, ArnavJi." Khushi was sitting on the bed waiting for Arnav to come so that she can leave. He got late more than usual.
"Good night, had Muskaan have her dinner?"
"Yes."
"You sang that song for her?"
"Yes."
"Can you change it?"
"Why?..Sorry, I'll try. Excuse me I have to leave now." Khushi smiled nervously and left the room. Once she was at the door, she heaved a sigh of relief. The nervousness she started to feel around him was not good at all. She blamed her thoughts about him thinking that she had crossed the limits as she thinks of him a lot, his features, and his rare smile which reserved for Muski and Khushi was lucky to witness that. She scolded herself and hurried to the car.
* * *
"Hello, maasi," Khushi said in the telephone.
"How are you, Khushi?"
"I'm fine. I hope you're better now."
"Thank God I'm better. How's Muskaan? Are you getting well with them?"
"She is a sweet girl. I'm getting well with them. Nani is so kind."
"I hope that Mr. Raizaada is happy with what you do." Mrs. Khanna sounded worried.
"He is maasi. He tested my work for a week and said that I'm good."
"How's Garima."
"Amma and all are fine. I've just talked with them."
"Ok, Bitya. Take care and don't forget what I told you."
"Ok, maasi. Bye." Mrs. Khanna's calls were always a reminder and advice for Khushi as her maasi wanted Khushi to settle in a job as she knows the values of the Raizaada's. She wanted Khushi to obey them and be a good girl as she had an experience from being a nanny for two years. Once Arnav, who used to be good with her, yelled at her and asked her to leave the room saying that he can very well take care of his daughter. That day was a year before when it was Muskaan's birthday and he was a little drunk. The old lady sighed praying for the goodness for Khushi.
* * *
"Move on! Move on?! Dammit! Why this word haunts me now? Dammit, Gupta." He cursed in his mind. He always thought 'or lied to himself- that he had moved on, but the reality struck him because of Khushi's words, which captured his thoughts. He left
"Khushi Bitya?"
"Yes, naniji."
"You've said that you worked before. What did you do?" Nani asked curious to know more about the girl sitting in front of her, the girl whom she started to love. "You said that you worked for your father."
"You are a very good daughter, Bitya. May God bless you." Nani put a hand on Khushi's forehead. "But why you stopped?"
"Some guys misbehaved wit me as I'm a girl and there is no one to protect me here," Khushi replied thoughtfully. Making a disgusted face as she remembered something she did not like. They were unwelcome memories for her. She shrugged the thoughts off, and smiled at nani.
"May God protect you from these guys and keep them away from you." She cupped one of Khushi's cheeks.
Arnav was about to wish a good evening for them, but their conversation stopped him. He stood at a distance and listened to the whole conversation. Here he was ready to yell at her for the thoughts she gave him, he was irritated, and there she was doing this for others; she came for an unknown city to help them, for their happiness. 'This girl is surely something!' That was the thought.
When their conversation ended, he walked in. "Good evening. Has Muskaan slept early?" He asked looking around for the sight of his daughter.
"She is asleep, and I'm going to sleep. Don't skip your dinner, Chotey. Take care, Bitya." Nani left.
"Excuse me, I have to go." Khushi mumbled not feeling well suddenly.
"Uh'have you changed the song
"It's ok. How's she?"
"She is good. Bye." Arnav sensed something was not okay with her. She seemed as if she just wanted to leave. He let go of the thoughts to find her retreating back, which was stiffened, facing him. He ran up the stairs to see Muskaan. Never ever in his life he missed anyone as he misses his Muski. She is his existence. Once he kissed her forehead, she smiled and opened her eyes slowly before calling him and sleeping again.
* * *
"Khushi Ji, how are you?"
"Convey my greetings to her, Shyaamji."
"I will, Khushi Ji. I have to go now." Khushi gave him a box of jalebis and other sweets. He smiled and left from there.
"How fool I was to believe that bas***d!" Khushi sighed bitterly. After talking with nani, those memories came back again.
* * *
'How selfless she is to do that. I was not ready to give something for the woman who loved me, and she came here to help who was with her when she was a child!' Arnav was amazed with her behaviour and determination. 'She had a job before and even though she was annoyed, yet she worked again independently not wanting to be a burden.'
'But why suddenly she wanted to leave ...she left her job because other guys misbehaved with her. They had done that because she is a girl.' He kissed Muskaan's forehead promising to protect her always. 'No one can harm you ever." He hugged his princess with the promise before sleeping not so comfortably
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