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Part 36Khushi's mind flew back to the day she had left Arnav. Her life had pretty much been over. Her parents had disowned her. Her husband believed she was a s****. Her letter may or may not have led him to the truth. And even if it did, the damage was done.
For her it was incomprehensible that Arnav had believed that she could give him her body for money and gain. She could never come to terms with the fact that he believed she had been in a relationship with Rohan when she had been sleeping with him.
Khushi realized Arnav felt nothing for her. Just about nothing. He had simply bedded her because he had been attracted. And for him she was nothing more than that---a fairly attractive woman who had been available.
She had wanted to see Shyam and Rohan punished. But, in reality, they had won. They had showed her that her life and marriage was a sham ---nothing more and nothing less.
She had wanted to go back to her parents, after leaving Arnav. Where else would she go? She had no money. No other place to go. But she couldn't risk being found by Shyam and Rohan who could use her to harm Arnav.
Neither did she want to go back to her parents who had disowned her without a second thought. In reality, she had no one to call her own and practically nothing that she owned.
She had little money and some gold that she still had worn while walking out.
She had thought many times if she should just give up her life. The only thing that had stopped her was the faint hope---the most tiniest of them----that she might bear a child---one person she call her own and shower her love. She had missed her monthly cycle this month, which was very rare for her. She had been thinking of going for a test.
She had wanted to share the news with Arnav. But the confrontation between them had happened. She would have died if he had asked if the child was his. She had decided not to reveal anything to him even in the letter.
She may not have had much to give the child monetarily, but she hoped her love would do.
Listless and clueless about life, she had decided to go to her college friend Anita's house in Kolkata. Anita and she had been the best of friends and inseparable during college days. Anita had stayed in a hostel in Delhi to pursue her education, while her parents lived in Kolkata
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After graduation she had moved back to Kplkata. She had got married a few months later when Khushi had begun working for AR Advertising.
She had married an NRI engineer and had been deliriously happy. Khushi remembered the way they had danced on her Sangeet and the fun she had being her bridesmaid.
That was the last she knew of Anita. She had never written to her or called. Khushi had been in touch with her parents for a few months, but gradually her own life and its problems had engulfed her.
She had gradually forgotten to ask about Anita. But at this difficult time she only remembered the kind, loving face of Anita's parents.
She had called them briefly to tell them she was coming to see them. They hadn't spoken much but they had welcomed her warmly.
Khushi had asked after Anita, but they had remained quiet on the topic.
Khushi had found it strange, but had let it pass. She was in no frame of mind to ponder about anything else.
She had a lot to do. She had to take a test to confirm her pregnancy, reach Kolkata, find some accommodation and a new job.
Life looked bleak and long but she had hoped to survive, for her little baby.
She hadn't known the turmoil that lay waiting for her. She hadn't known that the baby for whom she had wished to survive would not survive.
She hadn't known that she would turn into the vegetable that she was today.
Khushi stopped the torrent of thoughts and looked back at the girl in the mirror who had no resemblance to the vulnerable Khushi. She was the insensitive and crass Ananya---
Arnav had not been able to rest thinking of Khushi. He was running out of ideas to make her admit who she was.
And if she did admit, would she have him back? It looked highly impossible she would even give him a second look if she had her way.
What could he do to end this impasse?
May be her parents could help? His face brightened at the prospect.
Wasting no time at all, he picked up the phone and quickly called Sashi Gupta.
He told him all the events that had occurred since he had come to Kolkata.
'I am sure it is Khushi. I don't understand why she is denying it. I feel she is angry with me. May be you can help me.
Please Uncleji come here right away with Auntyji.'
'Arnav beta she is not just your wife. It is not just you who have wronged her. We are her culprits too. We love her too. We will board the next available flight and come there,' he said.
Arnav's heart was filled with hope again. Khushi would never refuse to recognize her parents. She would let go of her pretence and accept them.
He couldn't contain his excitement. His Khushi would be back home, if not with him. He could see her and gradually woo her.
He knew it would take ages but she would give in. He was sure. She loved him. And she had said love could never die.
She would resist, fight him, turn him away. But he would not give up.
She would be back home, as his wife with all the due respect.
After Khushi's parents had been settled in their rooms in the guest house, Arnav explained the whole situation all over again.
'She is my Khushi and we both know it. But I don't know why she denies it. She insists she is Ananya and she even has a new set of parents to show she is someone different!' Arnav said in a frustrated tone.
'A new set of parents? How is that possible?' Garima asked.
'I don't know. But she lives with an old couple who are supposed to be her parents. My investigators found this information. I don't know who these people are and how Khushi found them. Do you know if she knew any old couple?' he asked.
'No. Khushi was very close to me. I know all her friends and acquaintances. It is possible she knew her friends' parents. None beyond that,' Garima responded.
'So, is it possible that she turned to her one of her friends when we turned our back on her?" Arnav asked.
'That is possible. But then, you had contacted all her friends right? Your investigators even stalked all of them right?' Sashi Gupta asked.
'Yes. But mistakes can happen. It is possible our investigators missed something. Anyway, let's all go to her house tomorrow.
It is a Sunday and Khushi will be home. The moment she sees you, I am sure she will relent and accept who she is after a little pushing. But if she refuses to recognize you, I don't know what to do.
Are you ready to face your daughter even though she may reject you?' he asked.
Garima and Sashi looked at each other. The thought of being rejected by their own daughter weighed heavily on their heart. The very thought was frightening.
But after what they had done to her, they would have to accept all possibilities.
The looked at Arnav and nodded. 'Yes we are ready for whatever Khushi decides. Even if she refuses to accept us as parents, we are prepared---'
As Arnav lay in bed that night, he felt a strange nervousness engulf him. He looked at the photograph of Khushi he always carried
'What will you do Khushi?
Will you refuse to accept your own parents? Will you refuse to come back to your old life?
Please Khushi don't do that. Please---
His whispers mingled with the silence of the night waiting for the answers that only Khushi could give---
Edited by rima - 11 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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