He took the thali and prayed God , not with devotion for sure .
He passed the thali to Amma and bua ji . He came back next to me - all the while looking at me .
We both couldn't concentrate on the ritual . We both stood there still - all confused our minds messed up . All because of me . I know .
But he loved Swathi so much ! I've seen it with my very own eyes . The way they took pictures together , the way Swathi used to flaunt that she has a perfect long relationship that no one ever did and that too with the hottest guy of school . Everything was perfect for them but I messed it all .
Swathi suits his standards . She is rich enough to be Mrs.Raizada . I'm not rich . I'm a middle class girl . And my dreams shall never be so high .
We stole glances at each other .
I think God understood my uneasiness . The ritual ended .
We all sat down on the steps . It is said that our body and soul will get rejuvenated and refreshed if we spend most of our time in a pleasant atmosphere like in the temples . I totally agree with that . But today I feel like contradicting it .
My anxiety is increasing but not decreasing . Seeing Arnav like this is increasing my nervousness .
Bhabhi took everyone other than Aunty , Arnav and me somewhere .
Anjali : We will be back .
I wanted to know where they were going . But I didn't ask . Amma says that we shouldn't ask anyone About their work even before they do it .
Now it is more uncomfortable as well as scary . I'm with Aunty - who is all upset with me and Arnav - who now seems to be the typical silent ASR .
Arnav was stealing glances at me , Aunty was looking at the other side and I was looking everywhere . I want to talk to Aunty alone . But he is here . How should I even talk to her ? I first have to know why is she even upset with me ? Then the rest of the questions depends on her reaction .
Arnav got up suddenly . Aunty and I looked at him . He went away from there as if he read my mind .
Khushi : Aaa ... Aunt-tty ... Umm Aunty ... Can I please talk to you ?
She turned towards me .
I got down by a step and sat beside her and placed my hands on hers .
Khushi : Aunty please tell me , why are you so upset with me ?
Aunty : I'm not upset with you . I didn't want you to go away from Chottey because I started to see a sea change in him . He never used to mingle with us , never used to talk to us . But now I don't know what you did , he stepped forward to be a part of this family again . He started to smile . He was actually happy after years . I'm always grateful for that . You don't know by how much . But I was insecure and scared that this happiness will go away from him ... Again .
Khushi : Aunty but ...
Aunty : Let me finish child .
She said . I nodded and lowered my gaze .
Aunty : Khushi why don't you understand that you both are meant to be . You love each other . what is your problem ?
Khushi : Aunty love is a very big word . It is not just liking for someone . There are many more aspects that we look forward to . And from him ... He is kind off obsessed . I want love from him not his obsession . I wanted his care but not his over possessiveness . I wanted his affection but not his forceful dominating attitude . I want some space from him Aunty . He hurts people just to gain my love . I feel he needs time to get tamed . He is not changing for good Aunty . If he had , Arman ji would have never been hospitalised .
Aunty : What are you even saying ?
Khushi : Yes Aunty . Just because I started working under Arman ji , he hired some people to get him hospitalised .
Aunty : I never knew this .
Khushi : You hardly know anything about him Aunty !
I started to cry . She made me lay down on her laps . She was consoling me . I looked at Arnav who stood still staring at the ground with his hands in his pocket . Those horrible images of that night when Arnav almost forced me flashed before my eyes . I closed my eyes trying not to remember that night .
Aunty : You shouldn't cry beta . You are going to do something very big now . You shouldn't get weak at this stage .
Khushi : I didn't want to go Aunty . I didn't but I wanted to escape from him . I wanted to run away from his scary side . I ...
Words got struck in my throat .
Aunty : No beta . Now you have only one goal . You have to make us all proud for having you as a part of our family . You have to prove yourself to the the society as well as my son and show them that you cannot be influenced .
I got up and looked into her eyes .
Khushi : You are not against me ?
Aunty : Why would I ? After all my daughter is taking such a huge step to success .
I smiled and hugged her . We broke our hug . I cleared my face . She looked at her son .
Aunty : I don't have to worry . My Chottey knows how to make things right .
She smiled at her own statement . I too looked at him . He smiled back to his mother and turned to me ... And smirked .
My back straightened . How did he even smirk now ? I could see some glitter and spark in his eyes . That spark when we have when we win or do something big . Really big . This is fishy . I frowned . He came and sat on the step just before mine . He kept looking at me with his smirk . That's awkward ! A-W-K-W-A-R-D !!!!
I saw my family coming back with his . My mother and bua ji had broad smiles on their faces .
His family too had the same charm everyone had on their faces except for me . What the hell is going on over here ?
Bua ji : Everything is going to be back in place ! Everything is fixed back to place .
Anjali : Haan Aunty ji . It's all destined .
She smiled at her brother as if she is so proud of him . And he smiled back as if he is accepting Her complement .
I made a face witnessing all this .
Khushi : What happened ?
Anjali : What happened ? Nothing happened right ? Shyam ji ..
Shyam : Nothing at all .
Shyam bhai looked at his wife lovingly . Something is out of place . Something is not right .
I kept thinking . I looked at Arnav, he did it too . He smirked . I rolled my eyes and looked at the other side .
After a long time when it was pitch dark My family escorted from the temple .While driving the car , I could see my mother's bright face after many days . Bua ji was sitting behind us . She was happy too ! But why so suddenly ? They weren't so happy before Anjali Bhabhi took them somewhere .
Khushi : What happened Amma ? You are so happy ! Won't you share it with your daughter ?
Amma : You will get to know . Sabar ka Phal meetha Hota hai !
Now ... I'm sure . 100% sure .. No 200, 500 % that there is something which both the families are doing without my knowledge .
After going home . I got changed and called up my friends Usha and Mahira on a conversational call ...
Khushi : I'm not understanding girls ... What do you think ? Am I right in any way or is it that I'm over thinking .
Mahira : Hmm .. Don't know Yaar may be a yes or no .. May be you should let it be .
Usha : But Yaar , I think Arnav is seriously upto something he is not that kind of guy who will give up so easily . He is surely upto something ..
Khushi & Mahira : But what ?
We both questioned together .
Usha : I'm not ASR to know all that ! But you can always bribe Aman . You know what I mean ?
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