PIYA BAWARE
PART 2
Khushi excused herself and walked towards the bar counter to get herself a drink; while Nani continued with her discussion with Garima.
Nani: So Garima, have any proposals for Khushi yet come?
Garima: Oh no, Mrs. Vadhera... not yet, actually Shashi and I... I mean, we still are not aware of any eligible bachelors in our social circle. And we definitely want to send Khushi into a family which is much like ours... you know... their lifestyle, culture...
Nani: I understand! She said smiling.
Garima: Aunty what about your grandsons, how are they doing? If I am not wrong, your daughter had twin sons, isn't it?
Nani: Yes, I have two grandsons, Arnav and Pranav... and both of them aren't married too. Actually after my daughter and son-in-law's death, their guardianship was taken by my son-in-law's uncle (chachaji), Mr. Ranveer Singh Raizaada. Both Arnav and Pranav have been brought up by his family only. They have textiles business in England and are based in London.
Garima smiled warmly. Nani: Pranav keeps coming to meet me here in Delhi quite often. I think he's decided that one day he will make sure that I agree to shift to the UK with him. (She said excited to talk about her grandson) To be honest, I see my daughter Ratna in him; the same eyes, smile and the very same warmth. She said holding Garima's hand smiling with slight tears in her eyes as she remembered her daughter.
Garima: And Arnav? The smile from Devyani Vadhera's face turned into an embarrassed and painful expression as she didn't know what to say.
***
Khushi stood next to the fountain in the lawn sipping her drink and simultaneously surfing through the internet on her smart phone. Well that's how she spent most of these high society parties which were more of a compulsion for her rather than some kind of an enjoyment.
Hello Ms. Gupta! Khushi heard a confident and cheerful voice to which she turned. And in front of her stood one of the most charming, handsome, well dressed, cute, chocolate boy... nah... gentleman she had ever seen in her life. He had a certain pleasant aura to himself which made Khushi feel attracted towards him immediately.
Khushi: Hello, ah... Do we know each other?
Yes, and NO!
Khushi: excuse me?
As in I know you but you don't know me. He smiled. I am Pranav, Pranav Singh Raizaada. He introduced himself offering his hand to which Khushi slightly kept her hand in his palm. It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Gupta. He said kissing the back of her hand slightly.
Khushi: It's just Khushi. I like to be known by my name.
Pranav: As you like Madame. But Ms. Gupta is just a gesture you see, it shouldn't make you feel uncomfortable if someone's calling you by that name.
Khushi: I am an independent working girl Mr. Raizaada, and I like to be known by my own achievements rather than my father's. I don't like people who use their surnames to get things done for them. I like to be known for my hard work and by my name, Khushi.
Pranav: Fair enough, Khushi! I like your spirit and can agree to it to quite an extent too. By the way, what else do you do other than killing people with your beauty?
Khushi blushed slightly and replied: I am an interior designer.
Pranav: Interesting! Though at first glance it doesn't look like. Khushi: excuse me? What do you mean?
Pranav: I mean that at first glance it looks like you definitely should be a doctor!
Khushi: And what makes you think that?
Pranav: Of course! The number of men around you, who would need to see a doctor after they would see you...
Khushi burst out laughing at his comment... for the very first time in a boring high society party like this.
***
~ London, U.K. ~
Arnav lied down on his bed looking up the ceiling as the early sun started to rise into his bedroom. Another day... just another day he had to go with this anxiety of not knowing who this woman was. And why on earth did he dream of her every single night, when nobody in his family knew her. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
Arnav: Hello, Aman, cancel all my appointments for the day. Yes! And set up an appointment with Dr. Malhotra. I want to see him today.
Aman: Yes Sir!
***
~Delhi, India~
Khushi: A doctor? Well Mr. Raizaada, so what do you do other than flirting with beautiful women? She asked with her bright eyes shining under the sun.
Pranav: Ah... well like you are interested in making your surroundings beautiful, I like to capture the beauty around me.
Khushi: Uff! I am sorry but I really don't understand half of the things you say.
Pranav: Relax beautiful, I work as a fashion photographer. Does that sound more familiar?
Khushi: Oh now I get it... so I am sure you might be in need to see a doctor quite often? Isn't it?
***
Arnav sat in the cabin of one of the most successful psychiatrists of London... Dr. Shashank Malhotra, also the Raizaada's family doctor and friend. He had been treating Arnav for the past six months now after his accident. The doctors had said that he was in shock after his accident due to which he might not remember a certain section of his life; something which had hurt him deeply. But the worst part of it was that nobody could help him as no one in his family knew about this girl who was the root cause of his shock. Arnav had been staying away from his family for years now and hardly ever shared what was going on in his life. But this would cause him so much of mental disturbance... he had never ever thought in his life. During the initial few days after his accident, he had tried to ask them about who she was showing them some of her pictures etc, but after getting the same reply, he was so very disappointed that ASR's ego just made him shut down towards his family. He had lost almost all contact with them. And now he didn't even bother to share anything regarding this girl with them.
The only one person he might speak to was Dr. Shashank, but even with him he never shared any of her details... not even her name.
Shashank: Yes, Arnav? Why did you want to see me so urgently? He asked taking his seat in his cabin.
Arnav: She's dead... He said looking at some random point on the glass table. I got to know this morning.
Shashank took in a deep breath and continued: I still think she's just an illusion of yours Arnav, its common in such cases. After your accident...
Arnav: She's not an illusion Uncle, she's not my imagination. He almost shouted.
Shashank: Alright, even if she did exist... she's dead now; you yourself just told me that. So you have to forget her Arnav. In order to lead a normal life, you need to forget her. Because in any which ways... she isn't contributing to your life in any positive way son. Understand that...
Arnav: I can't forget her... even if I try. I dream about her every night. It hurts me when she asks me if I have forgotten her. He said on the verge of breaking down. But I can't remember a thing about her... he was frustrated with himself.
Shashank: I think you need a break. Get out of that house. Go back to your family Arnav; you need to stop doing this to yourself.
Arnav: I am not going back to the Raizaada Mansion! He said his final decision to which Shashank just looked at him helpless.
Arnav: I came here because I thought you would help me.
Shashank: I want to help you... but you don't want my help. Fine... Don't go back to RM, but you can at least go and meet your Nani? When was the last time you even spoke to her Arnav?
Arnav: Alright... I'll go to India.
Shashank: Please! And for once just don't think about or take anything from that house with you... please do as I say.
Arnav: Ok!
***
Garima: And Arnav? The smile from Devyani Vadhera's face turned into an embarrassed and painful expression as she didn't know what to say.
Nani: Ah! You know Garima, Pranav is also here. She said smiling brightly...
Garima: really? Wouldn't you introduce me to him?
Nani: Of course... it would be a great pleasure... ah! He must be somewhere... Nani's eyes fell on Pranav and Khushi standing together and chatting and her eyes started glinting with excitement and happiness. Oh! There he is with Khushi standing there... she pointed towards them to show him to Garima and Garima too smiled seeing the two together.
After a minute or two Nani turned to Garima and asked: Garima I was thinking ah... I am sorry I am talking about this all of a sudden...
Garima: what is it aunty?
Nani: May I please ask for your daughter's hand for my grandson?
***
Next: Which grandson is Nani talking about?
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