Chapter Two - Part A
Payal and Khushi were at the temple; the aarti was going and both the sister were praying and the art is that they both were unknowingly praying for the same thing - To bring back happiness in their family.'
Payal (S.T.): Hai Devi Maiya, I don't have anything to ask for myself. Just bring back the happiness in my family and give my baby sister, my Khushi the strength to face all her problems. From today I and Aakash are going to start a new journey to find out the truth behind Arnavji and Khushi's haste wedding ... Please help us in this journey. Like me, even you know that ... only by finding out the truth can we bring back the happiness that our family has lost, bring back that smile my Khushi has lost. Please Devi Maiya ... help us to find out the truth and in the mean while give my Khushi the strength to face her problems.
Khushi (S.T.): Hai Devi Maiya, I don't know why all this is happening to me ... I am not able to understand anything anymore. Why does this always happen to me? Why am I the one to suffer always? You took my parents away and now once again I have lost my family. I have never asked anything for myself ... I have always asked you to keep my family safe and happy. I have always tried to bring a smile on others face no matter how much heart break I am going through ... but for the first time ... I have brought tears in my loved ones eyes and that also for no mistake of mine. Why Devi Maiya Why? All I am asking from you is to bring back the happiness in my family. I am used to all the sorrow but not my family ... Please bring back the happiness ... Please!
By now tears were coming out of Khushi's eyes; luckily for her Payal had not noticed them yet. The moment Khushi realised she was crying, she wiped the tears away. The pandit came with the Prasad and blessed her -
Panditji: Sada suhagan raho!
Khushi became numb when she heard that ... "Sada Suhagan Raho" ... Isn't that meant for women who are married for lifetime, who have a forever with their husbands ... But she, how can she be one of them ... her marriage can't be even called a marriage ... it's a deal ... a deal to be known Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada for six months ... a deal according to Arnav is a golden opportunity for a gold digger like her but only she knew that this deal only gave her losses ... a loss of loved ones, a loss of faith, a loss of hope, and above all loss of self-respect. But what she did not understand was what did Arnav benefit from this deal ... he is a man full of gains ... he only does things that would be profitable for him ... then why did he make this deal with her ... as far as she can see, this deal has not brought any benefits to him ... in fact he is suffering from this deal ... he himself had said that feels disgusted to breath the same air as her ... then why, why did he make this deal ... why did he force her for a six month contract marriage with him.
She was brought out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder and when she turned to see whose it was, she saw Payal looking at her with a concerned look. She simply shook her head and smiled slightly. They both started walking down the temple stairs.
Payal: Khushi lets go have some gol gappas ... it's been ages since we have had some!
Khushi: But jiji ... we have to go home!
Payal: Oh ho Khushi did I tell you we will not go home ... We will but after a while! We will eat gol gappas and then we will go! Chalo na ... Please!
Khushi: Ok ... Chaliye!
Payal sighed in relief ... it's not like she was craving for gol gappas; eating gol gappas was only her excuse to talk to Khushi. They both start walking towards the gol gappa stall and once they reach there. The moment Khushi saw gol gappas; she forgot about all her worries and started ordering her gol gappas excitedly. Payal was happy to see her sister smiling ... it had been ages since she had seen that genuine smile on Khushi's face. Even she went towards the stall and ordered hers. Once they were done with relishing their gol gappas; they ordered bhel puri.
Payal: Khushi chal lets go sit on that bench and eat!
Khushi: Ok!
They both went and sat on the bench with their bhel.
Payal: It's been ages since we have sat like this and have had chaat na?
Khushi: Haan Jiji!
Payal: In fact it's not just this; we haven't done all those things we used to do bore marriage.
Khushi looked at Payal confusedly.
Payal: What I mean is ... you know how we used to talk about every little thing that used to happen in our life with each other; we don't do that anymore.
Khushi: Jiji aap...
Payal: We never had any secrets between us ... We used to share everything with each other!
Khushi: Jiji...
Payal: If I knew marriage would bring such big changes in our life then I would have thought thousand times before saying yes to get married.
Khushi: Ji...
But again this time Payal cut her off...
Payal: Arre Pagli ... don't worry! I am not complaining! It's just that I miss those days!
By now both the sisters had tears in their eyes. Khushi could not control her herself and she lunged herself on Payal and hugged her tightly. Both the sister cried their heats out, but soon they realised they were in public and broke apart. They both wiped their tears and tried to control their emotions.
Payal: Khushi, I would never force you to tell me the reason behind your quick marriage ... it's you decision if you want to or not want to tell me! But I AM worried about you ... I have every right to be! That is why I want to know one thing from you ... and I want you to answer to that question honestly. And let me warn you I will easily understand if you lie!
Khushi: Jiji ... I ... I pro..promise I will an..swer ho...nestly!
Khushi was really sacred about what Payal would ask her but she had to answer her question somehow ... All she hoped was for the best to happen.
Payal: Are you happy Khushi?
Khushi was surprised to hear that question ... Out of all the possible questions running in her mind that Payal could ask her; this was the least expected one.
Khushi: Jiji...
Payal: Khushi don't even think of lying to me!
Khushi knew she couldn't lie to Payal but she could not tell her the truth too ... she felt like she was trapped between a devil and deep blue sea.
Khushi: Jiji ... You do know the situation at home! How can I be happy then!
Payal: If you are talking about how our family members are avoiding you then you can't really blame them for their behaviour Khushi. They are hurt by your deeds. I know it's not only your fault but Arnavji's too! But you are the one who spends more time at home than him that's why they show it more to you since they hardly see him.
Khushi: I know Jiji ... I understand that! But still it hurts! I just want everything to get back to the way it is!
Payal: Don't worry Khushi! Devi Maiya will take care of everything!
Khushi: Hmmm...
Payal: By the way Khushi ... I know I said I just want to ask you one thing ... But this doubt has been in my mind for a while now ... And I don't think I will get a better opportunity to clear it out!
Khushi was a bit apprehensive about what Payal would ask her now. But she somehow courageously replied back -
Khushi: Jiji why are you hesitating ... You can ask me anything!
Payal: Hmmm ... I was wondering whether something happened between Arnavji and Shyamji?
If the first question had had shocked Khushi then this question had shocked her even more.
Khushi: Jiji what do you mean by something happened?
Payal: Arre Pagli ... what I meant was when you told Arnavji about Shyamji's truth; he would have confronted Shyamji na? Is that why Shyamji has been missing since the wedding day?
Khushi was getting one shock after the other -
Khushi (S.T.): That thought had never crossed my mind. Shyamji was indeed missing since the day of the wedding. But how can Jiji's doubt be right ... I had never told Arnavji the truth then how can he confront Shyam. But what if he had found out about it by himself ... Is that the reason why Shyam is missing? ... And ... Is that the reason why Arnavji married me? No that can't be the reason for the marriage! ... Could it be? No it can't be ... if it was ... he would have definitely talked to me about it! Wouldn't he have? Hey Devi Maiya! I really need to find out about this!
Khushi was brought out of her thoughts by Payal -
Payal: Where are you lost Khushi?
Khushi: Uhh... Jiji ... I don't know!
Payal: What do you mean by you don't know? Dint Arnavji tell you anything about it?
Khushi: No!
Payal: And you dint ask him either?
Khushi just shook her head in reply while Payal looked at her suspiciously.
Payal: Khushi... you did tell Arnavji about Shyamji right?
Khushi: No Jiji ... I dint!
Payal: WHAT? But Why?
Khushi: How can I?
Payal: What do you mean by How can I'? Khushi you need to tell him!
Khushi: But Jiji it will shatter him ...and Anjaliji! If I could have ... then I would told it that day itself when had gone to meet Anjaliji to tell about Shyamji's deceit! But I couldn't because I couldn't see them shattering THEN and even NOW!
Payal: But Khushi there is a difference between then and now! THEN you were Khushi Kumari Gupta but NOW you are Khushi Kumari Singh Raizada! Arnavji is your husband now and he has every right to know about this!
Khushi: But Jiji...
Payal: No Khushi ... You need to tell him! Imagine if he comes to know about it from someone else! He will be more shattered!
Khushi stilled when she heard that. Payal took hold of Khushi hands -
Payal: Khushi promise me that you will tell Arnavji the truth!
Khushi looked at Payal with uncertainty but when she saw assurance in Payal's eyes, she nodded her head -
Khushi: I will tell him when I get the right time to tell him.
Payal: But...
Khushi: Jiji you do know about his mood swings na? He is worse than a pregnant woman! If I go tell him just like that without assessing his mood then even Devi Maiya would not know what would happen next.
She giggled after saying that.
Payal: Pagli kahinki! (Crazy girl!)
Payal was happy to see Khushi smiling ... Even though she could not get to know much about Khushi's and Arnav's relationship during their bonding time at least she could bring back the smile on her sister's face even if it would only last for a while. She knew that the smile would disappear the moment they enter Shantivan. But she was sure that happiness was just around the corner ... The shadows of unhappiness would disappear soon. And she would do anything to act as a catalyst for that disappearance to occur soon.
Payal: But on a serious note ... Do tell Arnavji the whole truth as soon as possible!
Khushi: Don't worry Jiji ... I will!
By now even Khushi gained a bit of confidence ... Even she felt like things would get better soon.
Khushi: Jiji I think we should get moving! Everyone will be waiting for us back at home.
Payal: Hmmm ... Let's go!
They both immediately hailed an auto to return back to Shantivan.
After a while they reached Shantivan and were walking towards the main door from the gates when Payal remembered about yesterday's incident where she and Aakash saw Khushi sleeping at the poolside. She was not sure on how she would approach this topic with Khushi but she had to find out about it. So she turned towards Khushi and held her hands -
Payal: Khushi I forgot to ask you something?
Khushi: What is it Jiji?
Payal: Woh I saw you sleeping at the poolside yesterday!
Khushi was shocked to hear that ... she had no idea what excuse she would give Payal now. But after fidgeting for a while she answered back -
Khushi: Oh that is because I was not feeling sleepy at night so I came out to talk to Amma and Babuji ... you know na how I talk to them at night! Like that I felt really good outside so I thought of sleeping outside.
Payal: And Arnavji let you?
Khushi: Do you think he would have if he knew about it ... he only came to know about it when he woke up in the morning and he gave me an earful for that before leaving for office!
Payal: Hmmm ... I was scared if you both had a fight!
Khushi: Oh! So I guess that is why you were asking me all the questions since morning.
Payal: Well not really ... but I was concerned for you and I would have asked them even if I had not seen you at the poolside last night ... Last night's incident just intensified by concerns for you!
Khushi: Don't worry Jiji ... We both did not fight ... Well actually we do fight but that is part of our life now ... we can't live without fighting with each other. But no such fights can lead me to sleep outside and even if I would want to do that he would never allow me!
Payal: As long as you both are happy in your married life I am happy!
Khushi: We are happy Jiji ... We are very happy!
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