Nk returned home late that night after his usual long time chats at the Guptas...
he looked around puzzled... he looked at the time and looked around ...Arnav's car was nowhere to be seen... it was almost 2 .00 am
" securityyy" his voice echoed into the dark nights as the guards rushed to him
" where is nannav? did he come back?" Nk asked in worry
" no sir... ASR sir left in the morning " the guards informed him as nk was already dialling the office only to know Arnav hadn't turned up there all day
He walked in worried about his nannav as he saw Anjali walk out into the hallway
" its you nk bhai... i thought it was chotey.. he's not home yet' she said almost in tears
" dii.. dii... don worry he must be at some meeting" nk tried consoling a panicked anjali
" haan anjali bitiya even last night chotey came very late " said nani's voice surprising the siblings
" why do you look at me like that " Nani said to the surprised duo as she continued " haan i am angry... and i don talk to him.. so do we all... but i always ensured he was fine..." she said as anjali and nk nodded in unison...
" akash bhai .. i will wake him " nk said just in time as payal came out tired with an empty water jug
" whats wrong ?" she asked walking to them and heaved a sigh on their worry
" arnavji has gone to London... some work.. aman informed me this afternoon when i called to check on his lunch " payal said as nani and anjali looked at her in shock
" nani... i am Payal Raizada along with being Payal Gupta.." she said as nani cupped her cheeks fondly while nk and anjali looked at her in pride and joy
Akash smiled at a distance away from them as he walked back to his bed... His wife could be surprising him all his life with her qualities
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4 days later
Arnav walked in to hear his family laughin loudly at the dinner table... Thanks to nk who can make even the statue smile...
" and what did khushi do?" anjali asked amidst her laughter
Arnav halted in his tracks ... Did they say Khushi?
" then what.. Khushiji had flour all over her face... The little kid who was crying started laughing and so did we"
Arnav smiled as his mind rushed to the day Khushi had first made him smile with flour all over her face...
" Arnav bhaiii" Hp exclaimed snapping both the sides out of their minds...
" Chottey " Anjali got up seeing her brother back after 4 days...
" ANjali " nani's voice made her halt in her track as Arnav looked on
" this is a house... we all live as family... it will be better if people could inform when they leave for long " Nani said trying to hold back her tears as she scanned Arnav to ensure he was fine
" I am fine nani..." Arnav said looking straight to her as he blinked at Anjali who tried to smile faintly
he quietly turned and walked away without looking back as payal looked at Akash walking away in tension for work...
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Khushi sighed as she wiped the sweat on her forehead... she never knew she would bag such a huge party order... All thanks to aman bhai she sighed ... he had walked into her shop 2 days back and told her that his known client would love to have an order... after ensuring twice that AR industries was nowhere linked to the party nk had agreed
.. It was late evening...As the little boys and nk packed the sweets into the van and waved to her she slopped into the chair...
" where was Arnavji?" she wondered... it had been a week almost that she opened and he had never even bothered to look into what was happening... She remembered the times after her accident when she had been told of him being by her side all time... she remembered how he never tried to approach her but had taken the blame on himself openly in the media cleaning her once tainted name... she remembered how he had come running to her for her comfort when shyam had died and he was helpless... he had even apologized and relieved her of all possible guilt...
As she was about to smile her smile faded as she paled... he himself had decided he would leave her at LAXMI NAGAR... he was ASR and if he had wanted he could have fought with the world and taken her to shantivan... but he dint... he dint even bother to look back at her after she had come home... she could never known him completely... She wondered what she must call that feeling they both have for each other... how can it be hate when her heart still beats for him and how can it be love when she can still see him far away from her reach... So what if he agreed to the media.. it was his mistake and he corrected it... but he still had not voiced to her his love ...
Khushi sat there trying to collect the broken pieces of her life ... they were more confusing than any puzzle she had ever solved
" Khushiii" came the voice making her look up in astonishment...
there he stood his coat in his hands and his his dark shadows beneath his eyes screaming out the sleepless nights he had ... his beard was peeping out in a rather shabby way devoid of attention. he seemed himself to have lost a Kg or two...
Arnav looked around ignoring her curious looks on him... the shop was rather small... the chairs were filled with boxes... He smiled seeing the 4 pm to 5 pm break board...
Khushi looked around the mess she had been working in.. they had been so lost with the order that they were too tired to clean up the shop
As the couple stood gazing at each other with an awkwardness there came a voice " can i have one kg of sweets please"
both snapped up as Khushi looked at the old lady and so did Arnav
the old lady looked at Arnav... he was rich... his attitude had it all over his unshaved face as well
Khushi shaked her hands signing what sweet she wanted...
Arnav felt the lump strike his throat seeing her speak in silence.. something he never even dreamt off
" i don understand.. cant you speak ?" the lady asked confused as Khushi nodded sadly
" she is sick.. will be fine soon" Arnav cut in as he continued " what sweets would you like ?"
" i dunno.. i want it for my granddaughter...she said it would be good here" the old lady said as Arnav stripped off his coat much to Khushi's surprise
" you must take jelebis then... she will love them " he said as Khushi looked at him boggled.
" you seem to be a big shot.. seeing you buy here i am sure it will be " the old lady said as Khushi turned away.. the thought of riches and status reminding her of the cruel past
" 1 kg of jelebis " the lady said again
Khushi got up to find the empty cartons packed at the top of the laught
Arnav noticed her looking around as he moved the dividend pad and stepped into the sales side...
" i shall pack it as two half kgs... will help storage " he said as the lady looked at him in surprise
" is this your shop bitwa " she asked as Arnav chuckled while closing the boxes " i would love to own it... but its too expensive for me to get it "
Khushi frowned as she thought" was that an insult "
" seriously.. they wouldnt want to give over a successful business and if not them this shop has no value .." he said as Khushi smiled while the lady nodded and blessed khushi and left
"i would never mean to insult you khushi " he said turning to her as she smiled faintly
he kneeled against the bench as he said " Khushi.. it feels good to see you this way...'
she is dumb... so sick that she cant walk back home in the next street without takin breaks... she is makin sweets since all day trying to ensure her buaji 's ends meet.. And here he stands sayin he is feelin good... Did ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA loose his mind.. Khushi thought
" i knew you were opening the shop... Nk di payal nani... they are always talking about you" he informed as she looked on letting him continue
" i had been to London... a client call... so i couldn't come " he said softly as she finally heaved a relief for knowing his reason of not coming to see her...
but whats the point of her being happy... business and money was that which was important even now.. may be this was his courtesy call
' i was away at London for the same reason you started this sweet shop... a distraction from your cruel past" he said making her feel stunned as he answered her thoughts
they sat in silence with both of them looking away not meeting the eyes of the other
" may be i should leave... its 9 pm" Arnav said breaking into the silence
Khushi nodded in agreement... a little more time of his presence meant her breakdown of tears
" can i buy a box of jelebis " he said softly as she looked up
She quickly packed the box stuffing in as much jelebis as she can...
" not so much .. you know i am diabetic " he said as she pointed to the board
" SUGAR FREE JELEBIS" he read as she nodded while he smiled taking the boxes
" byeee" he said as he turned and walked to his car... he heard foot steps and he turned to find her gasping to reach him
" i am fine... you could have called " he said as she smirked sarcastically while he bit his tongue in embarrassment...
" its not that i wanted to tease you but i always remember my..." he paused as her eyes glistened and he continued " i can never imagine the KHUSHI KUMARI GUPTA silent... " he said as they both smiled remembering their past banters of the million shut up's arnav had given.. for a second he felt happy... like he was with the old khushi
" what was it ?" he asked as she hesitantly stretched out a paper and he took it
his eyes widened " 1 kg of sugar free jelebis - 200 rs"
she smiled awkwardly as Arnav looked at the bill she had given him... did he still feel she was his that he could walk away like that... She had made him a stranger with just one action... his heart shattered with every piece bursting in grief... not that he expected her to be all smiling to him but her turning away was something he last wanted...
he took out the cash from his wallet while she waited
he gave it to her and walked away quickly not looking back
Khushi's hands crumpled the notes he had given as tears streamed down her cheeks while she watched him go away
TO BE CONTINUED
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
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