NOCOPY
MEMBERSONLY
Chapter 2
He couldn't let her get married to someone else. He has to stop her. She just cannot get married. She was his...his wife. His thoughts were racing as he drove to the 'Mahila Kalyaan Ashram' just outside Ratlam.
Meeting her last night had made him alive again. He couldn't sleep a wink the whole night. Just waiting for the morning to dawn, so he could go and meet her, talk to her, ask her how she has been all these years, how she had managed...managed without him.
All through the meal last night, he had tried very hard to get some kind of information from her. Tried to draw her in the conversation. But she sat quite, ignoring him as much as she can, not letting out anything. When everything failed, he offered to drop both Saurabh and her at their respective residence, just to know where she lived. She had declined initially, saying that she would take an auto. However, at Saurabh's insistence that it was late, she reluctantly conceded.
It was little later than seven in the morning when he knocked at her door of her quarter in the employees' annexe of the Ashram. Khushi answered the door and the thing that she has been fearing for the whole night came true. He was standing at her doorstep. Her heart skipped a beat. His eyes were looking at her expectantly. He asked her if he could come inside. She slowly moved aside and let him in.
Sanat was getting ready for school. He looked up, confused to see the man they dined with last night in their home. He said a shy 'namaste' to him. Arnav looked at him with softness in his eyes. Instinctively, Khushi went over to her son. "Finish up your breakfast, or you'll miss your bus." She started feeding him. She wasn't sure why Arnav was here this early in the morning. Has he come for their son. She wanted to get Sanat ready and out for his bus as fast as she could.
"Where is his bus stop? I could go and drop him, while you finish rest of your work"
"No", she almost yelled. "There is no need. I will go and drop him"
"I can come with you"
"Didn't you hear me?", she panicked. "There is no need."
He said bye to Sanat and saw him pick up his bag and go outside the door with Khushi. He looked around the room. It was a small room with all the basic amenities. The kitchen was around the corner, separated by a wall. There was a decent size table with a few chairs, accommodating for dinning and working needs. In another corner there were two twin beds joined together. He looked up and smiled, seeing the stars hanging from the roof over the beds. His eyes saddened at the thought that she still needed these comfort to pass the night.
There was a small frame with Sanat's baby picture in it. He went over to look at it when the door opened. Without preamble she asked him what he wants, why was he here. She has nothing to do with Shyam or anyone in his family anymore, so he should please leave her alone.
He winced at her last sentence. Felt the pain of all the wrong that he had done to her. With regret in his eyes, he asked her, "Why do you think I am here, Khushi? I have been looking for you since the day you disappeared without a word. Why did you go like that, Khushi? I went crazy not knowing if you were alive or not. Especially in the condition you were."
"Especially in the condition I was? Exactly. That is the reason I left. Didn't want my child to go through all the humiliations that was meted out to me."
"However, you have seen that I did fine. I am well and alive. So no need to go on a guilt trip. You may leave now"
Arnav's face hardened. He still couldn't tolerate that tone from her. "I knew you were well and alive last night. I didn't come here this morning just to leave you alone. I came here to take you with me. This is no place for you and my child to live."
She was appalled to hear him. "You are out of your mind. Right. After trashing me and my child so many years ago, you think you could just walk in one fine day and take me and my son back under your wings. Look around Mr. Raizada. I have moved on. And I am to be married soon."
"How could you get married to someone else when you are my wife?"
"Your wife? Really? Which law recognizes just putting of sindoor and mangalsutra as marriage? Our marriage was just a sham as the love you showed for sake of everyone ".
He was shocked to hear her say that. He remembered all those times he had seen her carefully put sindoor in the parting of her hair right after she took shower. Though he never cared much for these things but this simple act of hers has always tugged at his heart. He was at loss of words. What had he done? He had hurt her so much that the things that she believed so strongly in are bygones for her.
Gathering himself, he said, "You and our son are coming with me. Call off this wedding. You cannot marry Saurabh or any other guy."
"Our Son?" Did I ever tell you he's ours? What makes you think that? I did tell you, I was pregnant, but I don't remember telling you that you were the one who made me pregnant. My type of girls could go and themselves pregnant from anybody. They don't need their so called husbands to do the act."
He lost it then. Just like always he couldn't take anybody humiliating her, even if she herself was saying those humiliating things. He could taste the rage in his mouth. He went over and grabbed her. "Just Shut up. Don't you ever dare to say that again."
"And if I do then what? What will you do Mr. Raizada? What can you do? You cannot take my son from me. There is no legal document that says that he is your son. We were never legally married so you cannot claim him yours even if the DNA matches. You will throw Saurabhji out of the job. Well that you certainly could do. You are capable of resorting to such seedy tactics. That is what you are worth for. Now please leave, I am getting late for work" Saying that, with her heart beating fast she went to the bathroom.
While driving back, Arnav was reminiscing their conversation. It had not at all gone the he had wished it to. He never meant to loose his temper. In fact he was ready for he temper. But still he wasn't prepared for all that she said to him. She had grown up. Life seems to have taught her a lot. No longer was she a young innocent girl he knew. She could not be intimidated. He admired her guts but was saddened by the turn of events.
He went to the office and barely managed to keep himself civil with Saurabh. Late in the morning he noticed Saurabh going outside the conference room to take a call on his cell. When he got back he asked Arnav till what time he thinks they will be working in the evening. Quickly, Arnav replied he has no idea. It could get late. Since Arnav was again visiting the site in the afternoon with the contractors, Saurabh asked to be excused for lunch. Despite, desperately wanting to stop him with some excuse, Arnav just let him go. He somehow knew that Saurabh was going to meet Khushi. What does she has to say that couldn't wait till tomorrow. That she couldn't discuss over the phone.
Hindi TV Shows
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
527