Part 6
" What you are thinking , that is not possible.."..Lalit Chaudhri said in a straight tone.
Arnav was in his office. Everyone outside was tensed, that the new King of Randhawas has come to meet Lalit Chaudhri.
Arnav remained silent.
" You are my enemy , but I can't do this to you, do you realise it's a question of your life?"
" That is why I came here..to ask for her hand.."
" You are mad..Arnav..I have seen her bedridden, after that trauma..I have seen her sufferings during the treatment..you can't understand what I felt that time..as a father, I have to take care of my daughter..but why should you suffer? Do you know she became a drug addict after that? Bina and me had a tough fight with that addiction of her. You don't know how we got her back..people asks about her marriage..but for now..I can only wish that she lives..I cannot ask more.."
" Your daughter is not defected Sir, she is only a victim of ragging..she is going through a mental trauma.."..
" You will not listen to me..okay..then I will talk to your father..you will surely listen to him..Arnav, I may be your enemy..but will not do this to you.."
" Because of you..my mother died..right..?"
" Unfortunately, yes.."
" If you have any regret about that..then you will not talk to my father, in this issue.."
"Arnav.."
" You won't.."
" Okay..but I will not give my daughter to you.."
" Is this your final resolve..?"
" Yes.."
" I can abduct her.."
"You won't...I know.."
Arnav got out of the room after slamming the door.
Lalit discussed everything with his wife, Bina..
" He has become obsessed about Khushi.."..Bina said with a sigh. Khushwant heard that and shed silent tears.
" Had Khushi been a normal girl..then I might have accepted the proposal..but Bina..Arnav will be failed to have a normal life with her, people will say that I gave my defected daughter out of animosity..whatever the reason may be, but we have to admit that ..she can't have a normal life.."
Khushi heard the word , defected.
She went to her room. Opened the drawer, took her personal kit out. Few syringes and few small ampoules were there. Khushi filled one syringe and injected herself.
****
" Dad, can you arrange two bodyguards for me? Else this Arnav Randhawa seems to be unpreventable.."
Lalit and Bina exchanged glance.
"Sure.."
She talked to nobody for the entire day. Went to hospital, completed 4 caesarean deliveries as the emergency section was full. She wanted to get lost in her work. She saw 25 miscalls in her mobile, all from Arnav.
Samrat came to meet her, said ," Look, I am sorry, but I had no option but telling him the truth, else he won't have stopped chasing you.."..
" I am very grateful for that, now an advice to you, get married to any good girl, have a life, you have no chance with me..I will appreciate if you leave me alone."
" Khushwant, yaar..why ..for that moron we spoil our time..?"
" Moron..are you referring to Arnavjee?"
Now Samrat got real shock. Arnavjee! When did this happen? He said , " I am talking about him only.."
" Then don't..and as for now and for the remaining life, leave me alone."
On the other hand, Arnav was getting insane. " Why the hell she is not taking my calls?"
She is definitely a woman, Arnav has no doubt about that. That day when he kissed her for long time, her tongue started to response gradually. Her lips tasted orange, her skin was like cream. Arnav smiled. He was again in the music room. Looking at the photo, hanged on the wall, of his mother.
He again picked up the flute. Started to play.
Ajit heard the sound of music, he only smiled. May be she is the daughter of his enemy, but she is the one who got his son back to life.
Arnav again dialled Khushwant's number, no answer. " Damn it.."..
**
Khushwant met one of her friends, who is Sikh. They were having Prasad in Bangla Sahib Gurudwara at Connaught Place. The halwa was very tasty. Her friend was talking to one Babajee when she was answering a patient over phone. Her right hand was holding the Prasad and left hand was holding the phone. Suddenly she felt that the pallu was dropping from her head, before she could hold it, another hand restored the pallu on her head, almost touching her temple. Their eyes met. Those eyes said again, "Don't you dare.." when Khushwant made an attempt to step back.
She could not hold that gaze anymore, she lowered her eyes.
" Why are you not taking my calls..?", Arnav said.
" I was busy.."
" I can see..who is that guy?"
" My school friend, he wants to arrange for a medical camp in remote villages.."
" Ohh, good..is he a Doctor ?"
" Yes, he studied MBBS from Bombay..and now he is practising in the charitable hospital , established by his grandfather, in their village."
" Will you not introduce me to him?"
" Okay..come.."
" Very glad to meet you Dr. Deol, I am Arnav Singh Randhawa.."..Arnav stretched his hand.
" Ohh..hello..you are friend of Khushwant..glad to meet you.."
They had detailed chat while coming out of the Gurudwara.
" Khushwant, if you don't mind, I have to meet Dr. Diwan too..so I will take your leave now..good bye Mr. Randhawa..hope to meet you again..."..Dr. Satbir Singh Deol left.
Arnav looked at her, " Where is your car..?"
" I came by Metro..parking is an issue here..okay, bye..I need to catch the Metro.."..Khushwant started to walk towards the Rajiv Chowk Metro Station.
" Why you need Metro..come..I will drop you.."
" No thank you.."..Khushwant cursed herself for not bringing her body guards. She thought why should she take armed persons to a Gurudwara..she thought it will be quick. She didn't imagine in her wildest dream that she would meet Arnav at such odd time.
" Why are you always so stubborn?"..Arnav agitated.
" I can ask the same question..", Khushwant retaliated .
" Achha, I forgot to take Prasad, you give me from your share.."
" Gurudwara is hardly 100 meters away, go back and take your share.."
" This is Babajee's Prasad..and here also you are being so mean.."
Now Khushwant had enough, she placed the leaf made bowl , filled up with halwa, on his palm..said ," Have it, all yours..bye.."
" Wait a second, you had Prasad..?"
" I don't need.."..Khushi increased her speed.
Arnav caught hold of her, made her face to face.." Have some Prasad.."..he offered.
" No thank you.."..
" Stop creating fuss Khushwant..have it.."..
" You are creating fuss.." before she could complete, her cheek was held by his left hand, he made her mouth open and fed her the halwa. Her eyes got widened out of shock, people was looking at them, some passed comments, some whistled, some laughed, some clapped.
" Come with me..", he ordered.
" Forget it.."
" Then go, people are staring at you, you may be stalked.."
" You are such a shithead.."
" After eating Prasad you are using such words!!"
" Arnavjee..please..stop annoying me..you know it is harassment.."
Arnav's eyes became wide. "ARNAVJEE?! Then I must say ..prasad did the right job..", he laughed, "now it's your turn, feed me..the Prasad..people are staring..don't disappoint them..come on.."
Khushi looked at him with pleading eyes. Arnav stopped teasing her. Said ," Alright, but come with me, this time..Metro will be too crowded..I will drop you.." and she didn't refuse. But, all of a sudden it started to rain, Arnav dragged her near to the CCD, said ," Let's get in, let the rain stop..I don't know, this is so very unlike Delhi.."
The waiter served them hot black coffee, Khushwant said ," Why you chose black coffee..you like sweet.."..
" No, I don't.."
" Then why were you fighting for halwa?"
" That is Prasad Khushwant, Prasad is only Prasad, not sweet, sour or bitter.."
" Ohh, I am sorry.."
Arnav smiled..her face got red automatically when he said ," You look nice.." pointing at the pallu which was still on her head. She was wearing saree made of khadi, it was light blue, the black blouse was three quarter, one thin gold chain was enhancing the beauty of her neck.
She dropped the pallu from her head. " Yes, weather is a bit humid..synthetic feels like ..that is why I wear cotton now a days..." her face got more red when he said ," But, I love that very much..Arnavjee..nobody has called me like this.."..she lowered her eyes.
Arnav was enjoying that embarrassed expression of her. She looked so cute that he wanted to kiss her then and there. He continued his teasing, he took his foot out of his shoes, Khushi felt a sock clad foot teasing her left foot. She glared angrily, Arnav smiled." Your foot feels nice, so soft.." he said.
" People are watching.."..
" They have their own business to mind, see, nobody cares..look around.." Arnav said while taking sip of his coffee..and he chocked ..and started to cough badly.
" O God..Arnavjee..", Khushi got up in hurry, sat beside him, " Waiter..get me some water.."..rubbed his back..Arnav was coughing very badly, she hit lightly on his back and head to make him stable. Then rubbed his chest. After few more coughing sound, he stopped, waiter came with water, Khushwant made him drink the water.
" Are you alright?"..Khushi asked anxiously.
" Yes, I am..thank you..", Arnav said after taking deep breathe, " I shouldn't have talked while taking the sip of coffee.."..
" Hmm..", she said and went back to his chair, became face to face with Arnav. The rain showed no signal to stop. Arnav ordered second round of coffee, along with some snacks.
Khushi was looking outside.
" You like rain?", Arnav said.
" Hmm.."
" What else do you like..I mean..movies, novels..any other hobby.."
" Well..whenever I get some time ..I play synthesizer..not very efficiently, but I can..lack of practise..but, you tell any tune, I can prepare for it within a day..."..
Arnav remembered his mother, she also used to play piano. He looked at the girl who was seated before him. Her calm eyes, pale yet red face, trembling lips started to play havoc on his system.
Bindi
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Jodha Akbar
41