WEEK 4
Day 1
After Dee settled down well enough at RM, Payal and Khushi decided that they'd go to Buaji's place the next day and give them all a surprise.
Dee was excited to meet her Dadi, Dadu and Moti Dadi too!
They were to stay at Buaji's for two days.
Arnav wasn't too happy with the decision, because he felt afraid that she'd go and never come back. But of course, he didn't show his concern.
Day 2
Khushi, Payal and Dee stood at the door of Buaji's house, waiting for her to open the door.
An impatient Dee rang the bell four-five times continuously.
"I'm coming Nandkisore!" Buaji yelled.
Dee giggled.
The door opened, and Buaji looked at Khushi and Payal and their bags. "Hein! What are you both doing here!"
"Moti Dadi!"
She felt a heavy crash on her legs and looked down at the head of a little girl.
"Who is this?" she asked surprised.
Dee looked up at Buaji with full grin. "Me!"
Buaji stared at Dee stunned. "Dh-Dhriti Bitiya!" she stuttered.
Buaji's shock turned to sobs as she bent down and picked Dee up. "Where have you been!" she cried.
"Ae Garima! Look who is here!" she cried.
Garima came out the kitchen running.
"What is it Jiji? You-"
She stopped short seeing Dee. "Dhriti!"
"Dadiii!" Dhriti yelled and ran into Garima's arms.
After tears and all, Dee was sitting in the lap of teary-eyes Shashi, who wished he could speak… His brother's granddaughter was in his arms!
Khushi felt at home after days. She felt happy. Tears of happiness clouded her eyes as she felt the burden of intense acting lift from her shoulder.
She closed her eyes and sat on the bed, leaning against the bed-post.
Amit Bhaiyya, come back soon!
Day 3
Akash looked wistfully at the empty bed by his side. He missed Payal… His gaze shifted to the French windows and saw the silhouette of his brother staring at the sky.
(See, I never really understood RM's layout. I always thought that the pool was common to all rooms except Nani's >.< I always thought someone would walk in on Khushi sleeping outside and blah, but nope! Big Blooper in IPK….! I mean, you could see pool from the living room but it also connected to Arnav's room which was on the first floor. I mean, really? Whattt!)
Akash let out a sigh, as his brother reminded him of the other problems brewing in this house.
He acted least bothered by the fact that Khushi was leaving, but he could see the distinct pain of separation in his eyes…! She was his wife, so what was wrong in expressing that to her! This reminded Akash of the day he had been hiding behind the pillar and heard Arnav threatening Khushi.
IT was right after their wedding, and somehow, he began to doubt the very foundation of their marriage….
He regretted for not talking to Payal. He should have done it when he had the chance!
And how he missed her! How would he pull through two days without her!
*
Payal stared out of the window ruefully. She missed Akash, and wished she could talk to him right then and there, but he would probably be asleep.
She turned to look at Khushi, who was staring into the distance, absent-mindedly stroking Dee's hair.
What perplexed Payal, was Khushi looked HAPPIER being here… She felt an uneasy feeling as to whether Arnav was treating her sister properly… Yes, he had been gentlemanly with Payal, but he had always taunted and troubled Khushi in the past…
She looked back at the night sky, asking her Mausi and Chachu for some help.
*
Arnav stared at the stars, wondering if Khushi's bhabhi and parents were watching him. They probably hated him… he thought bitterly.
His mother probably hated Khushi as well, for ruining her daughter's life…
As he watched, he wondered whether it was his imagination that four stars seemed to flicker inconsistently and dimly, as if they were…. Sad…..
He wouldn't admit it to anyone in the world, but he missed her. The sound of her anklets, the clinking of the blankets
His thoughts went back to the most beautiful moments in his life…
The dance, her glee at his having purchased bangles for her, his kiss, her kiss, her worry when he was late….
Were those beautiful moments lies too?
He glanced at his mobile and reread the text she had sent him two hours back.
Meds after dinner
It was just three words, but somehow, it warmed his heart.
Ugh, no!
Arnav chided himself and pressed the 'Delete' button, but somehow, could accept the confirmation.
He moved the message to a different folder and walked inside with hands in his pocket.
*
Khushi looked at Dee's face, and thought back to how Arnav had stepped in few days back and saved her from the trouble of explaining the concept of death to Dee…
She was grateful…
She sighed. There was no point in denying at least to herself, that she loved him. A lot.
But she was happy to be here, because him acting that he loved her, her being genuine about her love for him but him thinking it was fake and her knowing his love was fake hurt her…
The pretence, the lies. Everything.
Suddenly, she wondered why she hadn't let Anjali Di tell Arnav about Shyam… And then she remembered again.
The reason was ego. Her dignity had been hit when he suspected her. She wanted him to know by himself that she was innocent. Wanted to prove it to him. And when he would know, she'd leave… What she was actually afraid of, was would she be able to walk away knowing that he was sorry….? She knew he would be, after knowing the truth…
And though it disgusted her, she knew she'd forgive him… She loved him too much to remain angry with him…
(Don't get disappointed. Remember she doesn't know that his father killed her parents and Arnav knew it was Shyam who killed Muskaan but he hid it from her…)
Day 4
Dee and the others had gone to the market.
"Hello?"
"Khushi, it's me."
Khushi dropped the knife from her hand. "Aap!"
Payal looked up startled and gestured with her eyes. "Who?"
"Arnavji!" Khushi mouthed in wonder.
Payal turned away and frowned. He was her husband. Why should she be so shocked that he called! It just doesn't make any difference…
"Yes Khushi, me." Arnav said quietly.
Khushi wiped her hands on a napkin and walked out. "What happened? Is everything alright at home? Is everyone okay? Why did you-"
"Khushi, I just called because I didn't want anyone to wonder why we weren't talking…"
Khushi sighed. "Of course… Er, did you have medicines?"
"Yes. Is Payal around?" he asked.
"Huh. No! Why did you ask?"
"I-I just thought…" Arnav wondered how to frame his doubt.
"Y-You thought I was pretending to care because Jiji was here…" Khushi whispered sadly.
"I-I… yes…" Arnav sighed.
He heard a small sniffle on the other end, and then phone went dead.
*
When Khushi came back with red eyes, Payal looked up. "You're done?"
Khushi nodded and went back to cooking.
Strange!
Payal thought, taking in Khushi's red eyes.
For someone who married each other out of love, they hardly talk!
Day 5
Payal, Khushi and Dee returned to RM.
Akash and Arnav were both happy… The difference was, that Akash made it obvious, while Arnav kept his happiness inside, and did not show it through anything other than a hug (Which was a formality of course)
Day 6
The day passed. Dee, Akash and Payal went out for a movie together.
Arnav and Khushi, no words of course because Anjali and Khushi went shopping.
Shyam was still out of course, and Anjali knew it was the presence of Dee.
Day 7
Khushi was helping Payal out in the kitchen.
"Khushi, I-I am feeling a little sick. Can you-"
"Of course Jiji! You go rest… I will finish the cooking!" Khushi smiled.
"Thanks Khushi…" she muttered, and began to walk out.
Khushi froze when she heard the clatter of a steel utensil.
She whirled around to see Payal unconscious on the floor. "JIJI!" Khushi screamed and rushed to Payal's side.
"DIII!!!!" Khushi screamed for Anjali.
Akash was out for work and so were Mamaji and Arnav.
"Diii! Come fast!"
Soon, Anjali followed by an anxious Nani and irritated Mami followed.
"What is it Khushiji? Are you-"
She stopped short seeing Khushi supporting an unconscious Payal.
"Payalji!"
"Payal bitiya!"
"Hein? Khoon bhari- Humra matbal Payal bitiya…"
"Manorama, call Akash at once!" Nani exclaimed.
With great difficulty, Khushi shifted Payal to the sofa, while Anjali called up the doctor.
*
Akash stormed into the house. "Payal! What happened to her!"
Arnav followed soon, and for the first time, Akash seemed to be more deranged than Arnav.
He looked at the women and yelled in anger. "WHY ARE YOU ALL SMILING?!"
"Akash?" a soft voice called from behind the women.
Muttering, Akash passed the women and went to Payal. He cupped her face. "Payal? Are you alright? What happened? I mean-"
Payal chuckled. "Akash relax…."
She took his hand and placed it on her tummy. "You're going to be a father…" she smiled.
Akash stared at her, and then took her in a bear hug. "WOW! Payal, I love you!"
Arnav stared wide-eyed, while the ladies giggled.
His gaze shifted to Khushi, who was looking sadly at her sister and Jiju.
He saw her turn away and wipe a tear that escaped her eyes. She walked away from there and went to the washroom.
Aranv closed his eyes, trying to remove that sad look in her eyes from his mind.
(Guys, Ashish DID call this month but Amit is in Lucknow remember? So don't wonder…)
Convo in the next post:
"Hello Amit…How far have things worked out?"
"Well, I'm in Lucknow now. On the same work… Doing some research on Khushi's in-laws…"
"Hm, Okay. Is that all?"
"Hey, Ash? I-I think you should talk to Kuku once…."
"Dude, you know I-"
"Ash, she is married… Just once. She'll be delighted to hear from you… I'm not asking you to meet her… Talk to her… Something tells me she really needs you now…"
Ashish sighed. "Alright. Give me her number…"
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