SS: Vivaah ~ Thread 6 (29/12) - Sneak Peak of Part 23 - Pg 140 - Page 39

Part 20

Khushi was packing the bags quietly in her room. Her teary eyes were blocking her vision but she still managed to get hold of few clothes. Memories is all that she could pack from Shantivan. She had entered this house as a Bahu, she became a part of this family, she got love and respect from each and everyone here. Time changed, situations changed but not the fact that there was an expiry date of all this happiness she got. Her marriage was temporary and even though Arnavji voiced out to continue it, she knew he was taking this decision in haste. He loved Lavanya and love is not a thin thread which can break off so easily. There is something called forgiveness too which she was sure he would give Lavanya and accept her one day. But all this can happen only after his wife means she leaves the house.

She packed as much as she could. Anjali knocked the door and came inside seeing her packing.

Anjali: Khushi? What is all this? Where are you going?

Khushi: Its over Di. Its time I leave this house.

Anjali had already realised what she was talking about but she never thought Khushi will take such a decision after staying 6 months with Chotte.

Anjali: Did you talk to Chotte? Did he tell you what he wants?

Khushi: What he wants cannot be fulfiled Di. He will understand it someday and accept Lavanya. She has the place in this house, not me.

Anjali: How could you say this Khushi?

Khushi: How could you change so much Di? You and Lavanya together had this idea of 6 months contract marriage, right. ? Then why suddenly you want to forget that and make me stay?

Anjali explained Khushi the same thing which she told Arnav earlier in the evening. Khushi was shocked.

Khushi: You lied? All these months you kept lying? How could you Di? You had the rights to settle your brother down with a good life partner. But who gave you the right to spoil a girl's life? Situation is different today, Arnavji wants to continue this marriage, but what if it was not so ? What if your prediction of Arnavji understanding the true colors of Lavanya would have failed? What if Lavanya had actually turned out to be be good in everyone's eyes.? Have you thought what I would have faced that time? I know I was in need of money to get my father treated and I willingly took this decision. But I never lied to anyone of you. Whatever I was, was before this family unlike you people who only got me in this house with a purpose. Earlier the purpose that was told me was the Priests belief about Arnavji's first marriage not being successful which was an utter lie and today that purpose is to stay back with Arnavji because everyone thinks I am the right woman for him. I dont want to judge who was right in all of this and who was wrong. I just want to go home.

Anjali was hurt.

Anjali: I know Khushi. Whatever you said isnt wrong. But dont punish Chotte for my Sins. He is innocent. He was so much pressurised by me and Lavanya, that he had to take this decision of marrying you. But I have never seen him cheating his marriage, or showing any kind of disrespect towards it in these 6 months. I am not asking anything in return of that from you. I know what he did was his responsibility and he very well fulfilled that selflessly. I just can advise you, please think about him once before leaving this house forever. Please. Its my request.

Khushi was heartbroken. Whenever she thought about Arnavji, he heart felt weak.

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Arnav hurried in his room at late night 02:00 am only to find Khushi zipping her bags. She was set to leave? They both saw each other, pain written on their faces which could be read easily. She did not wanted to feel weak and stop. She had to abide by the terms of the contract marriage at any cost. She got up. She placed some keys on the bed.

Khushi: These are your locker keys which you gave me to manage for the last few months.

Arnav gulped.

Arnav: Dont do this Khushi.

Khushi: Humme yeh karna hoga Arnavji. This is what we had agreed for. You added one new clause in the contract papers in my favour without letting me know. I hide about my signatures on the Divorce papers to favour you. We are equal in that sense. You have done a lot for me and my ill father. I can never forget that. I will always remain in your debt but in return to that please do not ask me to stay back here. I cant break the promise I gave to myself and Lavanya about leaving the house after the 6 months is over. I dont want to know if she was right or wrong. I dont want to judge whats the legality behind those divorce papers, if they stand valid in the eyes of court or not. All I am happy about is that I could fulfil my promise and leave this hoise with dignity. Aap please humme jaane dijiye.

She joined her palms requesting him to allow her leave. She had no courage to meet his eyes. She tried walking past him. He held her arms.

Arnav: This Contract has become more important to you than me? Can you forget all this so easily? Will you be able to leave without me Khushi? Bolo Khushi.

He wanted to know all of this. She shrugged his arms.

Khushi: Yes I can.

Arnav was shocked.

Khushi: I can leave without you because you might not but I had prepared myself for this day from the time we got married Arnavji.

Arnav felt numb. She gave him one last stare and then controlling her tears she just left the room with her bags. This decision was not easy for her, she knew that. She will have to answer her father why she did this, she know he wont be happy. She know he will not be able to forgive her either, but someday she will convince him why she had to take this decision. She will keep begging his forgiveness until she receives one.

Arnav sat on the floor disheartened and shattered. The car was ready and Khushi entered the vehicle with heavy heart. She asked the driver to take her back home. In one last glance, she took a glimpse of Shantivan and then broke in tears.

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It was difficult to explain Nani about the Contract marriage of Arnav and Khushi. Though she was happy with the fact that Anjali just like her didnt feel Lavanya was a good match for Chotte and hence she had to implement this plan of getting Arnav married to a decent woman like Khushi, she was still feeling upset that her bahu had left the house after completing the stipulated time period in the marriage. She could clearly see how Arnav had started loving his wife unknowingly in these 6 months and now that she left, he had almost given up the thought of being happy again. He was drifting to silence, and stayed alone in his room for hours. Nani and Anjali were both worried if he continues being so for long time, it might affect his health too. Nani being the eldest in the house decided to take a lead here. She went to Shashi Gupta for disccusing this matter.

Shashi just like Nani went understood about the contract marriage, he couldnt accept it so easily. He was ashamed that because of him Khushi had to take such a weak decision . He cursed himself for spoiling his daughter's life. Luckily he did not fall in any kind of trauma after knowing the fact. Khushi carefully handled the situation really very well.

It had been 2 days now that Khushi was back home. At present she was in the market to buy vegies when Nani payed a visit here.

Shashi: I was going to call you Devyaniji and find an outcome to this problem but Khushi asked me to not. She didnt allow me even to talk to Arnav once.

Nani: She is a very self esteemed woman Shashi. And we all appreciate that. She had to bear a lot in the last few months. Mistakes happen and I am not here to cover it up. I know Anjali did a grave mistake but her intentions were never wrong. Likewise even Arnav should not have agreed to play all this but he was forced by Anjali's fasts which she decided to break only after Arnav accepts to marry Khushi. So he too cannot be blamed totally.

Shashi: I know. Arnav is a very nice man. I cannot find a husband for Khushi better than him. He has done so much for us. But this time I am unable to go against my daughter's wishes. She thinks Arnav's love for her is temporary. She thinks its just an attraction which came up because they stayed together and it will soon fade away. She thinks he will still give Lavanya a chance because he was in a strong relationship with her for almost year.

Nani :Her doubts are valid. But I know they are never going to turn true. Arnav is really hurt with Khushi's departure. He wants her back but will never force her again. We tried to talk to him but he says he had stopped her with all his love, but she still left him. So now if she wants to come back, he will be more than happy to welcome her but if she doesnt wish to then he will never cross her path again.

Shashi: This is a very confusing situation. What should we do then?

Nani: I think we should devise some plan to get them together again. When they meet each other after few days, who knows, might be their feelings for each other gets more stronger and they think positive about their marriage ?

Shashi: But how? Khushi doesnt leave the house unless she wants to buy household stuff. She keeps herself busy in taking care of me, cooking and looking after the house.

Nani: And Arnav these days has locked himself up in the room or in his office cabin. He doesnt even talk much.

Shashi: One minute. Khushi is going to attend Preeto's marriage next week in Simla. She is her best friend. I cannot travel so far so she is going to go alone. Just for two days.

Nani: Simla? Very nice idea. I will send Arnav too. I will tell him Preeto's fiancee is our long known relative and will ask him to attend that wedding.

Shashi: This is great idea. I will talk to Preeto and her fiancee and make them understand the situation. I hope in this wedding, Khushi and Arnav remember how much they are made for each other and accept their marriage.

Nani: It will happen Shashi. I am sure Devi Maiyaa will play her cards. Okay then I will leave before Khushi comes home. Dont tell anyone about this meet of ours.

Shashi was extremely happy. He took Naniji's blessings and closed the door once she left in her car.

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Anjali was informed by Nani on how she had planned to send Arnav and Khushi to Simla seperately for Preeto's wedding. Anjali liked this idea and even she knew this marriage might click some feelings in Arnav and Khushi towards their relationship too. She and Nani were now discussing it with Arnav , trying to make him attend the wedding.

Arnav: Kaun Preeto? I dont even know her.

Anjali: Chotte, you dont know Preeto but we know Akshay, her would be husband. They are our long relatives.

Nani: Haan Chotte. And they have invited us with so much hopes. I cant travel so far and Anjali is going out with Shyam. So there is no one who can go there but you.

Arnav: Nani you know what status I am currently in. I dont think I can attend some wedding when my own marriage is at stake.

Nani :Who knows some miracle might happen in this wedding ?

Anjali: Haan , And you might get Khushi back?

Nani: Forever

Nani added and Arnav was suddenly lost in his wife's thoughts. He missed Khushi so much. He missed everything about her. This house, his room, his body, his soul had become hollow after she left them all.

Arnav: Please Di. I really cant.

Nani: Okay. Dont go. We wont force you. So much has already happened because Anjali forced you for marrying Khushi. Now if I start doing the same, you might be in more problems. Its fine. I will inform them we cannot make it for the wedding.

She purposely said all this .She knew Arnav will now agree for it and the same happened.

Arnav: This family very well knows how to change my replies. Fair enough. I am going. Happy?

Anjali and Nani were very happy. They both immediately hugged Arnav winking at each other for their plan to be a success.

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