"Ok Ma, bye, goodnight" said Arnav, who placed a kiss on Ratna's cheek after he dropped her off to the Raizada Mansion. "Come inside. It's your house only" Ratna said in a soft voice, hoping he would listen to her. She knew that Arvind would have been home by now. It was high time that the past is forgotten and the broken ties be joined. And it could only be a start of Arvind and Arnav stood face to face. He did not budge. "Please Arnav. Wouldn't you want to meet everyone?" she asked. Again, Arnav did not reply. Instead, he sat in his car and buckled his seatbelt. "Not now, Ma. Maybe some other time. I will come home, with Samrat. But only when your husband isn't home." Ratna shook her head in annoyance. "How many times do I have to tell you not to address him that way? He is your Dad, whether you like it or not" "And, by the same token, Samrat is his grandson whether he likes it or not!" Arnav replied without looking at his Mother. "I know Arnav, I understand. But you know how your father is! He cannot stand Samrat because of Swathi! For him, Samrat is Swathi's son!" Arnav closed his eyes. The mention of Swathi's name hit him like a wrecking ball. "He is my son, Ma. And I don't care what Da... Your husband thinks! And frankly, I did not drop you off here to listen to you defending his low thinking. If I knew you were going to start off on this topic again, I would have asked your driver to come and pick you up" Arnav spoke, staring the car and Ratna sighed. "Okay, I'm sorry!" Ratna said, "I shouldn't have started on this. But I cannot see such bitterness between you and your Dad." Arnav did not look at her. "Arnav, you know I love you and Samrat a lot, right?" Arnav's expression softened as he nodded as she continued talking. "My baccha, know that I will love you till the end and I will want nothing but the best for you, okay?" Arnav now looked at his Ma. "I love you too Ma." He said to her and as he drove out of the main gate, while Ratna waved a bye to him until the car was out of sight. And all of this was being watched by another pair of eyes, inside the house.
"Okay, now you're turn to hide" Khushi said to Sam while tying the blindfold on her eyes, who had insisted on playing hide and seek, the minute his Daddy and Daadi had left home. Sam had sought Khushi within half a minute when she had hidden. That was what he thought. In reality, Khushi knew that Samrat was new to her house and was unfamiliar with the setting of furniture. And being blindfolded did not help him. He was tiny and could be easily hurt if he bumped into the sofa set or the TV cabinet. So, instead of hiding, she dodged him for a few seconds and then stood right in front of him so that he would catch her. His limitless happiness of seeking her brought a huge smile on her lips. She was re-living her childhood moments that she had spent with her best-friend Rishi. Surprisingly, his name did not make her cry. She cherished the moments she spent with him. He wasn't coming back and she had understood that she was only causing herself pain by crying for him. He would always be in her heart, but she now realised that she could be happy thinking about him and that choice was in her hand. The little boy Samrat had made her open her eyes and see reality, without himself realising what a huge favour he had done for her. She smiled as she heard Samrat clap once, indicating that he had hidden. "Ready or not here I come!" she said aloud. Sam was hiding in her bedroom, inside her closet, leaving the door slightly open to keep an eye on her. He heard her footsteps into the room and he leaned further into the closet. His hands felt a sharp edge of something between the stack of clothes and he pulled it out to see what it was. It was a photograph of Miss Khushi standing with a man. Miss Khushi really looked pretty in a red saree with the red color between the parting of her hair, the black beaded chain and the huge garland round her neck. The man was wearing a golden Sherwani, just like the one his Daddy wore during his Anjali Phuphi's wedding with Aman Phupha (Phuphi means Father's sister and Phupha means Father's sister's husband). The man had a similar garland too, just like the one round Miss Khushi's neck. He then realised that it was a wedding photo. A photo similar to the one which Daadaji-Daadi, Akaash Cachu-Payal Chachi and Aman Phupha-Anjali Phuphi had! Miss Khushi has a husband! For odd reasons unknown to him, he did not like the fact that she belonged to someone else. Without another word, he quietly folded and slipped the photo into his pocket. And just then, Miss Khushi opened the closet and stretched out her hands, and she caught him. He smiled at her. "What happened Samrat? Tired playing?" she asked when he did not giggle like he always did. "I'm sleepy." He said, rubbing his eyes. She took him in her arms and made him lie on her bed. "But your Daddy wouldn't like it if you fell asleep here. Just some time more. Daddy will be here soon and then you can go to your house and sleep there." She said and she sat next to him. Everything that she had said seemed to have fallen on deaf ears, for Samrat yawned and stretched and then cuddled closer to her, throwing his tiny arm over her. She sat motionless, not knowing what to do. But a small smile formed on her face as she saw his droopy eyes and his pouty lips as he dosed off into sleep. She shifted closer to him and hugged him as she placed a kiss on his forehead. He snuggled closer to her and she chuckled when he sleepily threw a leg over her.
A minute passed and he was already asleep. She carefully got up from the bed, without disturbing him, and pulled the blanket over him. She made herself some hot chocolate and sat in the balcony on the parapet. Minutes later, she noticed a familiar car entering the building premises. The car was parked in the parking lot and Arnav got down from the vehicle. She sighed. That meant he would take Samrat back to his house and she would be left all alone again. Being with Samrat gave her some hope of being happy. With him going away from her, even if it was next door, she felt sadness engulf her. A few minutes with Samrat had turned her into the person that she once was. And with the thought of him being away made her remember that even Rishi was not with her anymore, and that she had no one whom she could call as her own, except for her Ma- Garima Gupta. It was as clear as the daylight to her that she loved Samrat. Perhaps, more than her own self. She got up and went towards the door when she heard the beeping noise of the elevator door. Before Arnav could knock, she opened the door for him, and he was left standing there, gaping at her as to how she knew he was there. "Come in" she said in a soft voice.
He followed her into the dimly lit, quiet living room. It was so quiet that it hard to believe that Sam was left in the same house, a few minutes back. Khushi spoke, drawing him out of his thoughts. "I happened to see your car entering the premises and then I heard the elevator sound. That's how I knew you came. And moreover, I didn't want Samrat to be disturbed if you rang the door bell. He's asleep" she said even before he asked. "No issues, I'll carry him home" he said, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his slacks. Unwillingly, Khushi nodded and turned around to guide him to her room where the little boy was asleep.. She stood at the door while Arnav went ahead and tried to pick up a snoring Sam. Sam stirred in his sleep and pouted as if he was about to cry. "Miss Khushi..." he murmured with the curl of his lips. Arnav immediately lowered him to the bed and instantly, Sam looked relaxed. Arnav looked at Khushi who was standing at the edge of the bed. She was smiling at Sam's sleeping form. She looked at Arnav and signalled him to come to the hall since their talk might disturb the sleeping boy. "If it's okay with you, could Samrat stay here overnight? I mean, it looks like he's going to be cranky if he were to wake up. So...?" Khushi asked him, and Arnav's immediate response was a No. How on earth could he let his little boy sleep in a stranger's house? He would be absolutely nuts to do such a thing. And just when he was about to refuse, he saw her eyes shine; the same twinkle that Sam had whenever he wanted something really badly and pleaded his Daddy for it. For the first time, he saw her eyes shine with some hope. And he felt as if all of her hope depended on his one single answer. "Alright" he heard himself say. Before he could say anything further, her lips broke into a wide smile, causing a smile on his own face. "Thank you so much, Mr. Raizada" she smiled. "I'd prefer if you called me Arnav. Mr. Raizada reminds me of my Father" he said. "Thank you, Arnav" she said with a small smile. He only nodded his head at that, and was about to walk out when he heard her call out to him, and he turned around. "I'll bring him over tomorrow morning, so that you can get him ready for school" "Sounds good. Goodnight, Miss Khushi" Arnav hesitantly waved out. She too greeted him and closed the door.
From across the hallway, two pairs of eyes were watching the two of these from the peep hole of the door. "Dekha Mummy? I told you!" Kriti whined as she saw Khushi wave out to Arnav with a smile. "I told you, Mummy. Arnav ji will be trapped by this Khushi. Why did you put hopes in my head that Arnav ji can be mine? In the end only my heart is broken" She kept jabbering around and Pam only rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Kriti!" Pam said. Kriti fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta as she paced the living room. "Chodungi nahi usey! I'll show that Khushi where she belongs, what is her right place!" Kriti almost stepped out of the door but Pam pulled her back in. "Are you crazy or what?" she said, trying to knock some sense into Kriti, who only frowned at her mother. Pam only smiled. "Mera Baccha, everything that must happen, needs to happen at the right time. Arnav ji will be yours only. Patience is the only way. What are you worried about? That widow? I have the perfect plan to see that she permanently stays away from Arnav ji and his disobedient son." "And what is that?" Pam chuckled and rubbed her palms together, "What is in two weeks?" Kriti looked confused. "Uff! What do I do with my daughter! In two weeks we have holi!" Kriti still looked confused. Pam grinned, "You just wait and watch, beta. In two weeks, all of this bye-bye and goodnight business will be finished" Kriti giggled as Pam shared what was on her mind. "You're a genius Mummy" she said and Pam gloated with pride.
Ratna had just reached the room after Arnav dropped her. The moment she entered the bedroom, she saw Arvind seated on the sofa, looking at her. "It's late. Where had you been?" he asked in a no-nonsense tone, even if he already knew where she was. "I was out" she replied as she walked to the dresser table to take off her jewellery. "I know you were out. I just want to know where were you!" When Ratna did not respond, he stood up and walked to her. Standing right behind her, he looked into her eyes in the reflection on the mirror. "You went to meet your son and that small boy of his, right?" Ratna looked into his eyes. "Arvind, don't talk like that. They aren't strangers! I went to meet our son and our grandson!" Arvind backed her. "He isn't my son and he definitely isn't my grandson! Why do you have to meet the man who humiliated The Raizada family by getting married to that woman of no character? And then to worsen things, she leaves him with a child. How embarrassing for me when my friends ask me about Arnav. I have to say that he is a divorcee with a child, and they look at me with pity for him. Absolutely disgusting! I have worked for years to bring the Raizada name up, and your son just destroys it all in minutes by marrying that good-for-nothing woman!"
Ratna who was brushing her hair, shut her eyes and banged the brush on the dresser table. "Enough is enough, Arvind! I've been hearing this same thing over and over again for quite a long time now!" Arvind was surprised with her reaction, while she continued to almost yell with teary eyes and a shaky voice. "It's been five long years, Arvind. For five long years I have stayed away from my baby. Yes, he did make a mistake by marrying Swathi. I agree. Both were young and infatuated. And probably I should have made him understand before he took such a decision. I expected his feelings for her to fade away. Marrying her was definitely a mistake and Arnav regrets it now! But having Samrat was not a mistake! Never! That was what destiny had planned for Arnav. In fact, Samrat is a blessing in his life. He is the only one who keeps my Arnav sane and gives him a reason to be happy. And it is really mean on your part to behave so rudely with that little boy. How can you be so insensitive? That little child keeps calling you Daadaji Daadaji all the time, wishing and hoping that you would give him just ten percent of the love and attention that you give to Kavya. Is that too much to ask from you? And what do you do when you see him? You just shut him out and walk away! Is it his fault that Swathi is his biological mother? How can you be so cold towards that innocent, pure soul? Do you only see Swathi in him? Do you not see a part of your own Arnav in Samrat? Is your ego so important that you do not care about our own child and grandchild anymore? And another thing Arvind, you have no right to question me or stop me from meeting my Arnav! I have carried him within me for nine months and given birth to him, and it is my duty and right to see if my baby is okay or if he needs me. Arvind, have you forgotten he used to be your favourite kid. Anytime you were back from your business trip and anything brought for the three kids, it was always Arnav who had the privilege of opening the suitcase first and taking what he wants. Akaash and Anjali used to get whatever Arnav left behind. Akaash wanted to do medicine, but you decided that he would get into business and you made him slog for a Business Management degree. Anjali wanted to go into journalism but you said it was not fit for a girl, and she was forced to get married after her graduation! But Arnav? He started out with Biology in twelfth grade, got into commerce in under graduation, and then went on to pursue Masters in Tourism! And you did not say a word! Throughout his entire life until five years back, you spoilt him and pampered him giving him everything even before he asked for it. And now you blame him for making wrong decisions? You say he's not your son? He's only my son?" Arvind kept looking at his wife, with a blank expression. He was quiet, because he knew his wife was right. Ratna paused to take a deep breath, "Anyway, there is no point in talking to you, or him. Both of you are equally stubborn, and won't listen to anything I say. He has inherited the same attitude from you. I'm just fed-up. It's like I am here only to do the laundry and clean the house. Even Seetha is paid to do the house work. But I am an unpaid servant here. Work, work and work the whole day, and at the end of the day this is what I get! I'm only wasting my energy! I'd rather bang my head to the wall than trying to talk some sense into you and your son! Both of you are impossible. Altogether, in the end, I am a sandwich between you two egoistic people!" Saying this, she picked up her night clothes and stormed into the bathroom, still muttering, and Arvind was left all alone in the room, in sudden silence. Perhaps this is what they call the silence after the storm, he thought. Not wanting to say anything more when she was back from the shower, he went out of the bedroom, and walked towards his study room. He returned to the room only after he was sure that Ratna had slept off. When he saw her sleeping peacefully, he brushed his hand on her head and kissed her forehead with a smile, and dozed off to sleep next to her.
Khushi finished off her bath and went to the room. Sam was still asleep. Without making any noise, she tiptoed around the room and got into bed. Pulling the covers over both of them, she brushed his hair and kissed his cheek. Samrat, in his sleep, turned towards her and hugged her, after throwing his leg across her thigh. She enveloped his tiny form in her arms and patted him gently, cooing him to sleep. And she too eventually drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, even before Khushi could wake Samrat up, Arnav was ready at her door. Sam was still asleep, yet Arnav insisted that he carried him to his house. "I will have to get him ready" he said, and Khushi nodded in agreement. She thanked Arnav again for letting Sam stay back. "I've never been used to staying alone. I was glad that you let Sam sleep over here" she said. Arnav paused for a moment and only looked at her. Part of him felt sorry for this young woman. She had seen too much of sadness within a short span. From what he had heard from people around, he knew that her Mother passed away too early and her Dad was in his own world with another family of his own. And just when she was happy and settled in life, her husband passed away in a tragic accident. He realised his pain was nothing in comparison to hers. "It's no big deal. Moreover, Sam seemed comfortable here. And as long as he's happy, I'm happy too" he replied to her with a smile. Then, without another word, he walked out of her house. She too closed the door and went inside to make breakfast and then get ready for school.
Within an hour and a half, there was a knock on Arnav's door. Arnav, who was busy getting Samrat ready and was dressing up for work, mentally cursed the timing of the person. However, when he opened the door, he was surprised. "Ma? What are you doing here?" he said and rushed inside to fry the last roti. Ratna shook her head, looking at the state of the living room. Arnav's and Samrat's bath towel was put to dry on the dining chairs, a small school bag and a briefcase were thrown on the couch, the butter knife were still on the table, the crumbs of bread were not wiped off from the dining table, socks were thrown across the hall. Ratna looked up heavenward as if asking the Lord for some strength to deal with this mess and some grace to make her plan work so that Khushi could come into the lives of her two Raizada boys and set them straight. Arnav saw his mother examining the room. "Don't even think of saying anything Ma. Not in the mood for lectures!" he said as he packed Samrat's tiffin in a hurry. Ratna shrugged her shoulders with an innocent expression on her face. "I didn't say anything. I was just admiring the beauty of the room!" Sarcasm ran in the Raizada family! As Arnav was still running around like a headless chicken, Ratna rolled her eyes and said, "I'm taking Samrat to school today." Arnav paused what he was doing and looked at his mother as she continued talking. "And after school, you will pick him up on time." Arnav wondered why she wanted to take Sam and why was she giving such specific instructions to him, but did not say a word. If he asked her anything, she would ahve an hour long speech ready. And right now, he was running late and had no time to listen from her! "Alright!" he said instead. "Daadi!" Samrat screamed and ran to hug her. She hugged him back and kissed his forehead. "Today, I'm taking you to school" she told him and he seemed confused as he looked at her. "Why Daadi?" he asked and Ratna smiled. "Arey? I want to take my laddu to school today! You'll come with your Daadi, right?" Although Sam hated the nickname, he loved going with his Daadi as he loved being pampered. Her car was the only one in which he was allowed to put his feet up on the seats, not to forget the stash of chocolates in the dashboard that she reserved for him. "Okay Daadi!" he said excitedly. Waving bye to Arnav, he left with Ratna, after which Arnav too left for his work.
Once away from home, Ratna puts her plans into action. "So, Samrat beta, had fun at Miss Khushi's house yesterday?" Samrat who was lying on the seat with his head in her lap and playing with Lulu, sat up and looked at Ratna with a twinkle in his eye. "Daadi, Miss Khushi and I had a lot of fun yesterday. We played and played and played, and then I fell asleep. Morning, when I woke up, Daddy told me that I slept at Miss Khushi's house, and he had to carry me back home into my bed!" Ratna grinned. "You slept well at Miss Khushi's house? You did not you trouble her, did you?" Samrat looked at her, offended. "I was a good boy Daadi. I did not trouble anyone. I even protected Miss Khushi from the dragon under the bed and hugged her and slept!" Ratna laughed. "You protected Miss Khushi?" she asked and Sam flashed a toothy grin. "Yes Daadi! I protected her. Miss Khushi is a girl and I am a boy, no? Boys always protect girls and make them safe!" Ratna was only giggling at her grandson's cuteness. He was beyond adorable. He was just like how her Arnav was when he was small. Over imaginative and talkative! If only Arvind could see the same! Keeping those thoughts aside, she asked him, "You really like Miss Khushi, right?" Sam nodded in reply; the answer was quite obvious. Ratna leaned closer to the boy. "So would you like to spend more time with her? Would you like her to become friends with Daddy, so that they do not fight? Then you can spend all of your time with Miss Khushi!" Sam nodded his head and listened with interest. And Ratna told him what was to be done for today. Sam readily agreed. Iin order to be with miss Khushi, he could do anything! When they reached school, Ratna saw Khushi at the entrance of the class and waved out to her. She too waved out and Samrat ran to her after placing a kiss on his Daadi's cheek. Ratna prayed everything would go as what she had planned. With a final bye, she left from the school and returned home.
The day at school passed very quickly. Samrat spent most of the time in the blocks center, and whenever Miss Khushi would be around, he would run up to her and talk incessantly. Gauri, who observed this, knew that the two were getting too attached. She simply chuckled when Khushi patted his head and he looked like an eager puppy, waiting to be petted more! Khushi only smiled at her when she saw Gauri watching her and Samrat. She couldn't help but pamper the boy.
Evening arrived and Khushi saw Arnav coming into the school campus, right on time. Gauri only smiled to herself when she saw Arnav nod his head to say hello to her, and Khushi acknowledge his greeting. After class, when Sam went to his Daddy and kissed his cheek, he asked his Daddy if Miss Khushi could come with them in the car. Arnav told him that she could come only if she wanted to. When Sam asked Khushi, she hesitated initially, but when he curled his lips and pouted, her heart melted and she agreed. Sam dumped his bags in the backseat and sat on Khushi's lap, right next to his Daddy, throughout the drive.
When the car halted at the red signal, a young boy came selling roses to the car. "Saheb, please buy them. Only six rupees per rose. Please Saheb, at least buy them for Madam ji. She'll be happy" he said to Arnav. Arnav paled and looked at Khushi, who looked everywhere except at him. "Yayyy! Roses!" Sam screamed. "Daddy buy those yellow ones! They are so pretty!" he exclaimed. "Okay, give me ten of those yellow roses" Arnav said and gave him a note of hundred rupees. "Keep the change! Buy yourself something nice" Arnav said and the boy thanked him. Arnav passed those roses to Sam, who gave it to Khushi. "Abhi told me that yellow roses are for friendship. Is it true, Miss Khushi?" Sam asked and Khushi smiled fondly at a distant memory. Rishi too had given her a yellow rose when they were ten years old. They had been cycling in the evening and he had pushed her accidentally. How she had cried when she had skinned her knee! And to pacify her, he had broken a tiny yellow rose bud from the garden and given it to her, saying that he was her friend had could never think of hurting her on purpose. She still had it safe in her diary. Samrat shook her hand and raised her out of her thoughts. "Tell me, no? Yellow roses are for friendship?" "Yes Samrat, yellow roses symbolize friendship" Khushi said. Arnav smiled wearily as he heard her say so. He remembered giving the bouquet of yellow roses to Swathi in the first year of college on the occasion of Valentine 's Day and asking her if she could be his friend. She had said yes, and by the next Valentine's Day, he had given her red roses and proposed to her, to which she ahd said yes! Samrat's squeals drew his attention. Handing over the flowers to her, Samrat said, "This is from me and Daddy. So now, all three of us are friends" Khushi looked at Arnav, who looked at her at the exact moment. They looked at each other for a second or two. She looked away from him and smiled at Samrat, taking the flowers from him, and Arnav started the car as the signal turned green.
Samrat smiled proudly. He had done what his Daadi had asked of him. In fact, he had done more. His Daadi had asked only asked him to convince Khushi to come with them in the car. He was one step ahead and had made them friends. He couldn't wait to tell Daadi. However, there was one more thing to be done. And for that, he had to wait till they reached their building. Once they reached, Sam got out and took his bag from the backseat. Khushi got off and thanked Arnav for the drive. Arnav only smiled and said that there was no need to thank him. She closed teh car door and walked ahead, but Arnav called her back. "Your flowers" he said, handing over the tiny bouquet to her, "You left them behind" Hesitatingly, she took the flowers and mumbled a thank you. In the meantime, Samrat spoke up. "Daddy, can I ask you something?" Arnav looked in apprehension, as Khushi watched the little one. "Anyway Miss Khushi and I are going to the same place every day. And we come back to the same building. So can Miss Khushi come with us in the car every day, both morning and evening?" Arnav did not respond to his question. Instead he said, "Why don't you ask Miss Khushi if she wants to come?" Samrat turned to her. "Same question to you Miss Khushi. Will you come with us every day?" Khushi felt conscious. How could she travel with them every day? What would someone say if they saw her going to and coming back from work in Mr. Raizada's car? Her first response was no. "Samrat..." she began to say, when he looked at her with his huge eyes and a puppy face. There was no way on earth she could deny anything to that sweet little munchkin! "Oh okay!" she said with a sigh. Samrat's happiness knew no bounds when Khushi agreed to accompany them. That meant spending more time together, which meant stronger friendship between his Daddy and Miss Khushi. He tapped his tiny feet on the ground and squealed in excitement. Holding Miss Khushi's hand in his right and his Daddy's hand in his left, he went inside the elevator. Once they reached their floor, Samrat left Khushi's hand and told her that he would see her later. Arnav and Khushi said bye and went into their respective houses.
Pam and Kirthi watched the three of them. "Look Mummy! She has flowers in her hand. Arnav ji must have given it to her. Today it's yellow! Tomorrow it'll be red. And before we even know, she'll have a wedding garland in her hand, posing for a photo with Arnav ji. Mummyyy! Do something!" Kirthi whined again. Pam grinned slyly. "Patience beta, patience. Let them exchange flowers. Wait until holi. After that, they will not even exchange glances! I promise!" she said to her daughter who seemed relaxed after her Mummy's consolation.
"Yes Daadi, Miss Khushi took the flowers" Samrat spoke in a hushed tone from under his bed. He had been waiting all evening to tell his Daadi, and that moment finally arrived when Arnav went for a shower. He had picked up Daddy's cell phone and dialled his Daadi, the minute Arnav had switched on the tap of the shower. "Very good, my baccha" Ratna appreciated. She was in awe of her grandson. Such a smart boy he was! "For now, let everything be as it is. I'll let you know what is to be done next" she said. "Okay Daadi. Bye." Samrat said excitedly and cut the call. Ratna placed her phone aside and folded her hands in front of the tiny statue of Bappa. "I hope everything goes on well. I leave it all in your hands, Lord. Keep my children happy. And let Khushi be the one for my Arnav. Let nothing be wrong. And may everything be done as per your will" She bowed down and prayed in silence. Only the one above knew what was to happen in the time to come.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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