PART 48
She gulped her emotions that were stumbling her words from coming out.
Khushi : Shall we have a baby ?
The sentence left him flabberghasted not with the surprise it brought but with the intensity in which she had asked. He removed himself from her and looked into her eyes. A cloud of confusion coupled with the struggle squirming in the pool of diverse emotions over the same topic. It wasn't a big deal for him to guage her feelings and the reactions relating to it. It was really a big time effort in convincing her though she has never over past his advices anytime.
He took hold of her wrist leading towards the chair that had been placed on the balcony where they would spend their free time looking out at the wonderful city view. He sat down leaning backwards taking her along with her head on his chest. His left hand didn't leave her face caressing her cheeks soothingly which made her drown into the pool of serenity.
Arnav : Khushi , where did you get this thought from?
His interrogation usually starts when she was in a confusion and he would not leave it behind making a clear substantiation to her.
Khushi : Arnavji.. do you really think I am getting influenced by other's words?
Arnav: Prove me wrong then.
Khushi slightly hit his chest and looked up at his face cupping his cheeks.
Khushi : Am I not selfish enough to concentrate on my studies instead of taking responsibilities ? When you were so accommodating with me on my wishes why hadn't I given a thought to make you satisfy ? Why did I leave behind my vows of not keeping you happy?
Arnav laughed his heart out by leaning backwards. He clutched his stomach hardly to suppress the laughter but the more he looked at her confused face he started laughing again which really triggered her anger.
Khushi : aapko mazaa aa raha hain?
Arnav : Baby.. I swear these studies have really loosened your nuts in the brain. Its high time we think of a small break to enjoy ourselves.
Khushi : Arnavji. I am serious.. Don't try to mock me. She pushed him back in fake anger and turned the opposite side pouting.
Arnav stopped his continous laughter and wrapped his arms around her shoulders keeping his chin on her shoulders.
Arnav: Tum kitne buddhu ho?
Khushi : haan.. you always tease me but wont understand my feelings.
Arnav sighed in frustration hoping that she is not in her usual monthly moodswings.
Arnav :Chalo.. I will come to your point.. How on earth did you sway away from your responsibilities? And on the top of it how can you think I am unhappy for not having a baby now?
Khushi abruptly tunred to his side folding her legs infront of him.
Khushi : I could see that happiness excitement of becoming an uncle soon. I could see how you rejoiced in thinking of possibilities on how to change Abhayji with his baby. I have seen your interaction with Madhu and other kids. Its only you got irritated with some hyper active kids who had messed up our house but in reality you loved spending time with them .. Don't you?
Arnav: Of course.. I don't deny that.. I love kids that doesn't mean I would want you to stop your education and go in a family way.
Khushi : Arnavji.. So that means you are sacrificing your time for my education. Arent you?
Arnav : Meri pagal biwi.. what has got into that tiny head of yours? This is a mutual decision. Infact I persuaded you to continue the studies. Didn't I ? Do you think I wouldn't have thought about our future? Why do you split among our happiness? And tell me something do you think we would totally think of not having kids? We are planning after your education. I have tried to make it clear many times to others which you yourself heard.
Khushi : But Arnavji by the time I get a job and pursue my career, wont you become old ?
Arnav : Oye.. what are you upto? Are you calling me bhudda? One or two years just means I would turn to 30s that's all. That doesn't mean I don't have the ability to give you kids. And don't you dare suspect my strength...
Khushi embarrassed to the core started to hit him with her tiny fists making him clutch her hands pulling her towards his chest.
Khushi : You are besharam Arnavji.. I didn't mean that way..
Arnav (smiling) : Then which way? Khushi.. I know where you come from ? We are not that old as you think. Many people get married after 35 and above have kids after that.
Khushi turned thoughtful looking at the floor still not convinced by his arguments.
Arnav understood the exact point where she is hinting at. He smirked continuing what he had wanted to convey.
Arnav: These are all just an eyewash Khushi. I know why you are so much concerned on this. I shall utter that out if your ego doesn't hurt .
Khushi (raising an eyebrow) : What do you mean Arnavji ? What do you mean by ego hurting?
Arnav : Tell me the truth .. I know you are genuinely happy for Payal and Swetha.. but but has a small of tinge of disappointment creeped in your head particular of the fact that you and Swetha being best friends & Swetha had been married after you.
Khushi stood up the next second snapped at him.
Khushi : No.. Never. Do you think I am jealous?
Arnav : Cool.. Cool. Baby.. I didn't mean to offend you.. Its natural.. Dont just get hyper.
Khushi : Arnavji.. You are trying to taunt me. This is not fair. Don't talk to me.
She started walking inside in anger while he clutched her wrists making her fall on his lap.
She turned her face with a heavy breath as she had never expected Arnav to mock her in this matter. He had a big time ahead to woo his wife especially on this sensitive issue. He caressed her cheeks slowly cooling her down as he rested his lips on her ears.
Arnav : Sorry Khushi.. I didn't mean to offend you. But you have to understand. We are stern in our decision. No matter what you will finish your education and we shall try for baby. If you want to clear off your doubts we shall visit a gynec and get clarified. Don't just mess up your thoughts with these stupid clarifications. I assure you that my family as well as your family are very much accommodating in this matter. Then why are you just scewing your brain for such a thought. Even if any outsider tickle the wrong nerve on this matter ask them to talk to me. I shall answer on your behalf. You don't have to feel guilty.. OK.
His warm breath had already increased her goosebumps and his soothing convincing talks made her smile slowly. She leaned more towards him.
Khushi : Cant we try now? I mean I can manage studies and pregnancy together.
Arnav : Khushi its not practical.. It requires more stress during your studies and I don't want you to go through such a tough phase in life when we don't have anyone to assist us. Just wait patiently for one more year.. we are considering this after your studies. Please..
Khushi nodded in affirmative fairly convinced by this statement.
Khushi : I cant wait to have my baby Arnavji..
Arnav : aww.. so I am not your baby.. He started to nuzzle her neck and down below while she giggled and squirmed in his arms.
Arnav : Chalo promise me.. you wont take up this matter again.
She nodded her head and hugged him tightly for the one who can convince her easily for the most supporting partner he can be and the best friend who has all solutions to her invisible problems.
Arnav: Hey.. I have booked tickets to LA after your exams. We hadn't got some time alone after our honey moon. Be ready to have a short vacation.
Khushi :Done.. so let me finish my module. I have to arrange for the catering for our party after that.
Arnav : Don't bother.. All done.. You just go and study. I will kick you if you just loiter around doing some work.
He ordered her giving a light kick on her back like a mother punishing a naughty son. She frowned at him for being so strict at times and got into her room slamming the door. He smirked as he passed the door towards the hall where he had kept his laptop doing his work from home. He had already ordered for the lunch to save time for her studies.
**********
People were pouring into their house some already started enjoying the party. Arnav had made the arrangement for food inside Abhay's house so that guests can concentrate in his house. The kids were enjoying their play time in the small space where he had put some play houses and balls to play in their verandah. With the limited space he had almost made all fo them comfortable inside. Arnav had invited his colleagues, friends and their family whiel Khushi had invited some of her acquaintances and the social group she was indulged in . She had always wished to see her house filled up with noise and laughter which was on a high today. Dressed in a blue colour beaded silk saree, with her hair leaving loose as he liked she looked utterly gorgeous to everyone's eyes. The one year had increased the maturity in her face which had brought her the look of a responsible wife and a career oriented woman. Arnav was in his usual breathtaking black suit with a matching blue colour shirt and black pants making himself looking as elegant as ever.Being the perfect hosts they greeted each and everyone who wished them for completing a year successfully. The men were almost scaring him with the jokes that he has much more to suffer till the end and women givng back the banter through their advices to Khushi that she should be clever enough to hold Arnav in her control. Out of all these Arnav and Khushi shared glances with a smirk as they only knew how these petty advices seemed silly for their life as they had a different way of living from them.
They assembled together near the table and the couple was asked to make a wish and blow the candle. Arnav convinently stood behind her and caught her hands while they bend down together to cut the cake. Balloons bursted marking the happy moments, they fed cakes to each other and many clicks were taken by their friends. They both had only one wish for eternity .. They wanted to live a life for each other forever. Arnav took an opportunity to display his affection in public by kissing her hard on her cheeks with the encouragement from his friends while Khushi blushed to the core with the sudden action.
The party was full on in between she received some calls from their families where she expressed her sadness of missing them. Payal reminded her about their marriage and the big cyclone that had been averted with their love and trust for each other. Each of the family members wished them a happy life like this forever. She looked once more at the man who had been the reason for her ultimate joy of hers as well as her families while she talked to her father who was talking about none other than Arnav. She hung up the call after having a big chat and turned towards the guests to make them comfortable.
As she moved towards the table to clear some papers and plates lying around as most of them had left, she spotted a man standing alone watching the kids playing. She moved towards his with a lovely smile to greet him.
Khushi : Prem Bhaiyya.. aap idhar kyun kadhe ho? By the way where is bhabhi and Krish? I didn't spot them today.
He remained silent and passed a weak smile without any sort of happiness which didn't go unnoticed by her.
Khushi : What happened bhaiyya ? Your face doesn't give any good vibes..
Prem : Nothing Khushi.. You carry on.. I will talk to you later on this.
Khushi : No.. I am ready to hear it out. .Did you fight with bhabhi ? or is she not feeling well to attend the party? You could have brought Krish.
Prem suppressed his tears and gulped it down. He turned towards her taking out his stern face.
Prem : I could have got him only if he was in the country Khushi . They travelled already.
Khushi : What? Bhaiyyya we had a get together at your place three weeks back only..Bhabhi didn't tell me about any vacation. Any emergency?
Prem : Yea.. Emergency.. to file the divorce.. Hopefully by the end of this month I will get the notice.
Khushi just dropped the ones she had collected from the mess. She couldn't believe her ears. Divorce that too between one of the best understanding couple she and Arnav had admired for long? She remembered how they met at a party whrere Prem and his wife Saritha had introduced themselves and soon the acquaintance turned into a good friendship. They had a three year old kid Krish who was just a replica of Prem and they were the best parents till known to her. She always felt awe at the unity and prayed to Devimayya for a good future for the kid and their utmost happiness in the family. A perfect arranged marriage like theirs now crumbling wasn't digestible for Khushi as her apprehensions set in slowly but she had to know the reasons for it.
KHushi : WHAT? I .. I don't understand a bit. She said nodding her head in negative not able to accept it.
Prem : Yes. Khushi.. After our gettogether things were fine between us then too. Suddenly we brought her mother and for the reasons unknown there happened some arguments, fights, accusations and finally one morning all she did was pack her things without leaving a small cloth and travel to India without clearly informing me.
Khushi : Reasons unknown? Whats that? And for the time I had known you both you haven't fought like any other normal couple. Then whats the new change?
Prem : Yea.. that might be the reason too. I was extra conscious of our relationship and made more efforts to avoid small fights too. The families arranged for the marriage we got married, Krish was born within one year, our life was moving on with a jet speed. And it felt like we got a speed breaker as the outside forces intrusion started to affect our personal life. We were very happy as our own family. She was very adjustable. Only defect I saw in her was she would agree to whatever her parents say. She wouldn't think something for herself on what is right and wrong.
Khushi : But divorce? What stupidity is that? And why does her mother intrude between your life?
Prem : As I said the reasons weren't clear enough Khushi . As far as I know they were pretty happy with me being a good engineer working here. They had expectations in their only child to go for work and spend for them. Fortunately or unfortunately she conceived soon after she came here. We went through a tough phase but we were quite understanding. Some how I can make out the greedy nature of her parents but whenever this topic arised it left a bad taste in our relationship which I avoided. Their incessant calls persuading her to look out for a job to make herself independent when we were looking out options for looking after Krish. She was always in double mind but all hell broke loose when her mother came here and totally brainwashed her against me. Their ulterior motive was to black mail me with Krish and I am sure this is an attempt in the pretext of divorce. It has come to a point where they have started to avoid my calls and even not allowing my parents to meet her or Krish.
Khushi just felt like a thunder hitting her head. How on earth a mother can do such a crass act? Breaking her own daughter's marriage for money ? She felt like slapping that mother and kill her there itself. She thought about the little kid's state who would be utterly dejected due to this separation .She knew how Krish loved Prem and they had got well with each other too.
Khushi : Bhaiyya , you shouldn't stop trying. Go to India talk to bhabhi and solve this soon before you regret.
Prem : hmm. I will see what maximum I can do.. Even if she doesn't agree to live with me, I would somehow get back my son from them. I am sure her parents would do anything to my son too.
Khushi : Bhaiyaa do you want me to talk to bhabhi? May be I can make her understand.
She just felt a pull from behind and there was nothing new but a glare from her husband asking her to keep quiet. He had been listening to the conversation and he had prayed Khushi doesn't get involved in this soon.
Arnav : Khushi.. You better mind your own business. You have no rights to go in between the husband wife.
Prem: He is right Khushi. Her mother even talked vile and accused me of having an affair with my cousin who went to talk to them for reconciliation. So its better you not involve as Saritha is watched by them every second. Its like a trap I should be rescuing if possible my wife and baby or just my baby.
Arnav held his shoulders and assured him.
Arnav: Don't worry Prem. Everything will be alright. You just travel to India first. Consult a legal counselor how to proceed with this and try to talk to your wife and Krish.
Prem : I am going to do that Arnav. I am sorry for spoiling your mood on this happy occasion. It was just I couldn't tolerate my son;s separation than my wife;s that's why I poured it out.
Arnav : No issues Prem. Take care of yourself. Your love for your wife and son is more strong than any other power in this world.
Prem hugged Arnav for his assurance and congratulated them again. He saw Khushi's face all lost in thought and bid her good bye. Arnav turned towards his wife and dragged her to their adjacent bedroom closing the door behind.
KHushi was about to tell him what she felt about the incident but he didn't let her even open her mouth as he grabbed her into the arms and captured her lips strongly making her gasp in shock. He felt her relaxing from her high tensed mood as they proceeded and he broke the hug and looked at her.
Arnav : Now don't start thinking about them. ITS THEIR LIFE. Not yours.. and you don't have to do social service by involving in other's life.
Khushi : But .. Arnavji..
Arnav :No ifs and buts. I hope I will make it clear to you for the last time. You are going to concentrate on me and our life. That's it. I want the smiling glowing face I saw in the evening NOW!
Khushi smiled after letting out a sigh as there was no escape her husband would allow her to dwell in this thought. She started to think about how stupid of her to wallow in sorrow thinking about others life. But deep inside her heart she was still praying for Krish who should not bear the wrath of his parents separation. All she could ponder was how harsh life was in real on one hand? And its all in our hands to take it or break it.
************
She had closed her room getting aloof from the world drinking in the modules for her sem exam the next day. Arnav was cleaning some stuff from the dining table as he had commanded her to go and continue her studies. He was very well managing with the house hold chores without disturbing her studies. Moving towards the hall after cleaning he received a call on his mobile and he answered it in one ring as it was his brother in law NK.
Arnav : Hi NK.. Whats up? You seem to totally forget me and your sister after your sagai.
NK's voice became hoarse but he somehow stumbled for words to convey the matter.
NK : Jeeju.. if you don't mind can you call me back and please ensure Khushi is not around please.
Arnav could sense something fishy as he hadn't heard NK s voice so feeble that too he wanted to talk without Khushi's knowledge?
Arnav : Fine. I am calling you in a minute.
He cut the call and rushed towards his balcony and checked the last time if Khushi had opened their room door. Confirming it is locked he closed the balcony French door and dialed NK's number in haste while his fingers were still shivering thinking about the reasons.
NK : Hello Jeeju.. Voh.. Papa is admitted in the ICU.. He had fainted in the morning.
Arnav: WHAT? When? I mean how did this happen? What did the doctor say?
NK : they said it's a heart attack possibly due to high BP. They still call it as serious.I am tensed Jeeju..
Arnav ran a hand through his hair closing his eyes. He couldn't believe his father in law was fighting for life. He felt shocked, perturbed on this.On the top of it NK's loss of strength made him crumble. What would be Khushi's case if she heard it he thought. He opened his eyes abruptly and concentrated on the call.
Arnav : Don't lose hope NK.. Papa will be alright. I will ask Jeeju or Akash to accompany you now. And if you can pass over the phone to some doctors there. You take care of ma and buaji.. They should need strength now.
NK passed over the phone to one of the doctors. The doctors explained the situation and Arnav was listening intently. They had mentioned the possibility of conducting an operation for placing stint which might be effective though they had to go through several procedures before that. Arnav asked them to proceed with the operation and asked to get the sign from NK. He was sure to convince him that it was not a big deal in this era for such operations. He informed the doctor that somehow the other he want his father in law back healthy.The doctors assured to do their maximum and asked him to pray to God. He instructed NK to sign the papers and not to worry about the finances when he heard his hesitation. He could be possibly do only this much for his father in law. He asked NK to message him whenever possible on the status.
NK : Jeeju don't let Khushi know about this. She will be shattered. Its her first exam tomorrow.
Arnav let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes thinking about the next possible thuder in his life. How on earth can he hide this from his wife who knows each and every mood change of him? As NK said he didn't want to make her feel miserable at this time as they cant do much now other than helping out from outside. They had given their Passports for Visa renewal stamping which makes it impossible for them to travel too. He banged his fists on the rails of the balcony and started to think on how he is going to manage. HE agreed to NK and hung up the call to inform his family to be a support for them. Since Payal was on her 8th month Akash had been at his in laws house which was impossible for him to help them. He sought Shyam's help who readily agreed to withdraw the money and pay it for the operation. He sent ANjali to Garima and Buaji to give them support. After all these were set he looked into the sky and closed his eyes letting out a prayer to his parents.
Arnav : Ma, pa, save Papa please...
He opened his eyes as he heard Khushi's sound from behind scolding him for standing on the cold for a long time that too closing the French door. He hadn't even thought about the chillness as he stepped out as this news had made him more chill than he could ever imagine. She opened the door and dragged him inside where he composed himself to let out a smile.
Khushi : Don't laugh now.. Who were you talking to for a long time? I am sleepy.. I have to get up early Arnavji.. Come..
She dragged him towards the bedroom after closing the doors and switching off the lights. He was feeling totally numb as the guilt started to hover him whenever he looked at her eyes. He was scared for himself whether she would find out .The only way of escape was close his eyes pretending to sleep. She switched off the lights and started to snuggle caressing him which did evoke his pleasures. Hardly she knew how heavy was his heart and how difficult he was breathing inside.She slowly moved towards his ears nuzzling her nose showing her love but he shrugged her hands to retort.
Arnav : Khushi.. Sleep now.. You have exams tomorrow. Good Night.
He turned around and closed his eyes to get sleep. She was perplexed by his behaviour but brushed it off thinking it was some of the mood swings he gets after some official call and turned the opposite side with a frown to sleep. After few moments he turned around to find her fast asleep.He pulled her towards him making her snuggle unconsciously in her sleep. He saw the face that slept with no worries. He kissed her forehead deeply as it was affecting him too much..
Arnav : I am sorry Khushi ..
To be continued.
For emails please send your id to harcreations30@gmail.com
Anupamaa
Bengali Shows
Shiv Shakti
Hindi TV Shows
329