Part 30
"Nanhe, I want you to bring Khushi here, I need to talk to her." Nani said as she sat down on the couch after having the conversation with Khushi on the phone.
"But Dadi, Nannav? We need to find him first. You just told he is not at Khushi's place and he is not even picking up his phone." NK said, worried.
"I know where he is, Nanhe. But first bring Khushi here. This time Arnav doesn't need me. Just bring her here"
NK nodded his head.
Khushi, for the hundredth time kept the phone on her ear. But her trembling hand fell to her side, again with the same result.
"He is not picking up his phone. Where is he? He is mad at me I know, but he can't just vanish , leaving everyone worried. Hey Devi Maiya keep him safe. Please ... " Khushi chanted the same thing again and again. "He is so irresponsible! Worrying everyone." Khushi got up from the bed and walked towards the small table in the corner. She knelt in front of Devi Maiya's small statue placed on the table. "Devi Maiya, please keep him safe. I didn't meant all that I said. I should have not fought with him. But..he...he told he hates me. I know when he is angry he talks nonsense, but I had done nothing to infuriate him. I don't know why he is angry. And if instead of telling me why he is angry, he will keep on shouting then how will I know why he is behaving this way. Please sent him back quick please, Devi Maiya. " Khushi joined her hands and prayed for his safety.
Her eyes jerked open as she heard the door bell ring. A smile bloomed on her lips and muttering a quick thank you to her Devi Miaya, she sprinted to open the door.
"Arnav ji.." but the playing smile vanished as soon as she opened the door.
"Nanhe ji?"
"Khushi, come with me. Dadi wants to have a talk with you." NK said as he stood at the door.
"Nanhe ji, where is Arnav ji? Did you find him?" Khushi asked.
"No, Khushi. I don't know where he is. But first Dadi wants to meet you, come with me."
Khushi looked at him confused and worried.
"But Nanhe ji, we have to find Arnav ji first. It's good that you came, now we can find him. Wait I will tell Buaji and then we can go and find..."
"Khushi,wait! Nani needs to talk to you. First we are going to RM."
"But..." Khushi's shoulder slummed dejectedly. What is wrong with everyone! Her young mind was shot to pieces.
"Khushi, go, inform Buaji and bring Abeer, I am waiting. "
Khushi nodded her head and turned to do as said.
NK saw Khushi coming out with a sleeping Abeer in her arms. He went towards her and took Abeer in his arms and heard her sniffing. He looked at her, she was wiping her tears. He kept his hand on her shoulder and pulled her in a side hug.
"Don't worry, Khushi. Nannav will be fine. " NK tried to console her but instead saw few more tears spill from her eyes.
"I am a very bad wife, Nanhe ji. Arnav ji is gone because of me. But... I... I don't know what to do... I am so confused. I don't know what to do ... He doesn't tells me anything. He is worried, I know. But I don't read mind, he should tell me what problem he has with me, I will try my best to fix it. He told he hates me. How can he tell that?"Khushi sobbed.
NK smiled at her confused face and equally confused words. What more can he expect from an 18 year old? He is little angry at his own cousin. Instead of pulling this disappearing act, he should have sat and talked with her.
"Khushi, shhh. Everything will be fine. Lets get back to Raizada Mansion and everything will be fine." NK made her sit in the car and took the wheel. Stupid Nanav! What is he? Five? NK shook his head and drove to RM.
"Nani..." Khushi ran to hug her Nani. "Nani, ... Arnav ji, ... I don't know what to do.. ... We had a fight. Par hamari galati nahi hai, Nani. He told he hates me. He told it doesn't matter if I stay at Buaji's place and don't return to RM. He..."
"Shhh... I know it's not your fault, Khushi. Come with me. Don't cry.Shhh..." Nani assured her and lead her towards her room.
"Sit Khushi." Nani made her sit on the bed and sat beside her. "Khushi..." she took her in her arms. "See, I know it's not my secret to share with you, I am not going to tell you either. But I can tell you my part. And I am sure you will understand." Nani ran her hand on Khushi's back. "I know its not right to expect everything from you. But you should try to understand him..."
"I try Nani. I try to understand him. But today...today he told, he told he hates me ... how can he tell that, Nani?" Khushi hugged her, her sobbing continued.
"Shhh... Arnav is the last person whose words you should believe, Khushi. He speaks things which he doesn't mean at all. You won't believe me, but he has said those words to me, quite a few times. "
Khushi pulled away from the hug and looked at her.
"He has?"
Nani can't help but chuckle at the adorable confuse face she presented.
"Of-course. So you are not the first person. He had confessed his hatred for me, for Nanhe and even for Manorma." Nani smiled and took Khushi's hand in hers. "Khushi, you know Arnav's sister, don't you?"
"Anjali ji?"
"Yes. After Anjali left him, he... he was devastated, Khushi. Anjali was his sister, his mother, his only companion. And after she left him, he ... He fears loosing everyone, Khushi."
"Fears?"
"Yes. You know after Anjali left us, I had a minor heart attack. At night he use to come to my room, when he use to think I am asleep. He use to sit by me, taking my hand in his, checking my pulse. I don't know how long he use to sit by me. But his frightened hands use to hold me, as if afraid of losing me, as if his trembling hold on my hand could prevent the fate from taking me away ..." Nani laughed through her tears. "Sometimes he acts so childish, Khushi. After Anjali left him, he thinks everyone is in the search of some reason to leave him. He was ... He ... " Nani stopped. She can't tell Khushi all that. It's Arnav's secret to share. She can't tell that to Khushi.
"He... fears losing everyone?" Khushi asked.
"Yes, Khushi. And you left him. I should have stopped you. But I didn't knew that his fear will come back again, which he had tried so hard to fight. " Nani cupped her face. "Just love him, Khushi. Love him and he will return your love tenfold. If he shouts, try to make him see sense, don't shout in return. He... he is very complicated, don't tangle him more. He loves you, I know he loves you. And he ... he fears losing you, Khushi."
"He loves me? But..." Khushi's confused face creased more.
"Yes. He loves you. He had suffered a lot Khushi. And you will understand the depth of his pain when he himself decides to share everything with you. Love him, understand him and I am sure he will be the perfect husband any girl can get. I know my grandson, he is not bad. Its just that... nothing good has ever happened to him, except you. Are you understanding me, Khushi?"
Khushi hugged her and nodded her head.
"But he... he is not here. Where he is? When will he come..?" Khushi asked through her choked throat.
"Don't worry, I know where he is. "
"You know?" Khushi asked, her eyes wide.
"Yes, I know. NK will take you there, ok. And if he shouts then don't shout back. If he tells he hates you..."
"Then I will tell, I love him.." Khushi kissed Nani's cheek and got up. "Laad Governor can't fight me. He don't know who Khushi Gupta Singh Raizada is."
Nani smiled as she saw Khushi running out of her room. Sometimes it seems Khushi is too childish. But seeing her stubborn grandson, she is assured that this child can only break the barrier her grandson had built between him and happiness.
"Nanhe ji, jaldi chalo.." Khushi shouted as soon as she finished the last stair.
"Your son is awake now, and is spoiling my mood." NK complained.
Khushi went towards him and took her son from his hand.
"Don't talk like that about my baby. My baby doesn't spoils anyone's mood. Right Ebu?" Khushi rubbed her cheek against his soft one. "Now time to light up Daddy's mood." Khushi whispered against his ear and dragged NK out of the house.
"Hmm... So he is here?" Khushi looked at the beautiful farm house in front of her.
"Yes. Come, I will show.."
"NO! Nanhe ji, you go. I will manage now."
"Khushi, what if he refuse to come back?"
"Then I will stay with him..." Khushi smiled at Nanhe ji and walked inside the small gate.
"I was right Ebu. We should have not left. Poor Arnav ji. He had lost his sister and he thinks everyone will leave him, just like his sister. But we will not leave him, ever. This is why he always threatens me not to leave him..." Khushi wondered and walked on the wet yellow mud. She looked at the bungalow in front of her, she was about to walk towards the house but stopped as she heard some shuffling at her left. She turned to her left . It was dark, but she saw some wooden benches, surrounded by thick bushes and a lone figure sitting in the middle.
Khushi walked towards him.
Arnav was lost in his thoughts when he felt someone sit beside him, his eyes jerked to his left.
"Hi Arnav ji..." Khushi smiled.
"What are you doing here?" Arnav got up from the bench.
Khushi caught his hand and again pulled him to sit beside her.
"What I am doing here? I ... hmmm... hmm... what?... Yes! Buaji kicked me out of her house, because she thought I fought with you"
"What?" his angry eyes looked at her. "How can she? Can't she see how late it is!"
Khushi laughed, making both father and son stare at her beautiful face.
"Aap bhi na Arnav ji. I was joking."
Arnav gritted his teeth and turned away.
Khushi pouted and looked at him. She inched closer.
"Arnav ji, you know, you were right." Khushi said in a sad tone, making Arnav tilt towards her. "You should hate me." Kushi lowered her eyes, sniffing once. "I always trouble you. That day in restaurant also I acted so childish. I am very bad. I am a very bad wife. I can't do anything properly. Why should anyone love a girl like me?"
Arnav looked at her, speechless. He opened his mouth to say something but again closed, not knowing what to say.
"Buaji tells, I am careless. Nanhe ji says I am childish. You said you hate me. I think I deserve that. A careless and childish girl deserves to be hated. Right, Ebu?" Khushi looked down at her son.
Ebu lifted his face and kissed his mother's cheek.
Khushi smiled at him.
"Only you love me, Ebu. But I am sure you will also start hating me" Khushi stiffed.
"Will you stop saying that?" Arnav said in an irritated tone.
"See, no one wants to hear me either. I am very bad Ebu. I think you should also stop loving me."
"Will you stop saying that, KHUSHI!"
Khushi lifted her misted eyes to look at him.
"Theek hai. If you don't want to listen to me, then I will leave. I will not trouble you. I don't want you to hate me more" Khushi stood up, ready to leave but a hold on her wrist stopped her.
Arnav got up and stood in front of her.
"I...I..."
"You hate me. I know Arnav ji..." Khushi lowered her eyes.
"No."
"Huh?"
"I...I ...I.."
"I know you hate me..."
"No dammit! I don't hate you!"
"You don't hate me?" Khushi asked innocently.
"No!"
"But you said you hate me."
"Forget that."
"But Arnav ji..."
"I said FORGET THAT!"
"Ok...ok..."Khushi smiled.
"Arnav ji, I am sorry for my behavior. I didn't meant all that. I will try to be a good wife. I will try really hard. But don't throw me out.."
"What the!"
"What the nahi Arnav ji. You told na you don't need me. But I need you, don't throw me out of your life. I will try really hard to be good wife.."
Arnav just stared at her. What nonsense is she talking? He will throw her? Here he was fearing she will never come back in his life and she is pleading him to not throw her out.
"I will be a good wife, Arnav ji. I will not act childish. Will never embarrass you again. Will never go to stay at Buaji's place."
The staring from Arnav's side continued. Well, he don't mind the last one.
"You will not throw me out, right Arnav ji? I can't live without Ebu, you, Nani, Mami, Naheji. I love you all. I will do anything you want but don't throw me out. Please Arnav ji.." Khushi pleaded.
"Khushi..?"
"I will do anything you want..."
"Khushi?"
"You will not throw me na?"
"KHUSHI?!" Arnav caught her shoulder."Will you just SHUT UP!"
"But you will not..."
"NO! I will not throw you out." Arnav said, irritated.
Khushi smiled and hugged him.
"Thank you, Arnav ji. I will not let you down. I will never embarrass you, will try to be a good wife. But... but you said I am not your wife..."
Arnav's shoulder slumped, tired. Not again.
"You are my wife." Arnav tightened his hold on her.
Khushi rested her face on his chest and looked at Ebu. She blinked her both eyes at him, a mischievous glint shining in her eyes.
"Arnav ji?"
"Now what?!"
"I am sleepy."
Arnav looked down at her. Unbelievable!
"Come.." dislodging himself from her, he took her towards the house.
"We are staying here?" Khushi asked.
"Yes..." Arnav replied.
Arnav came out of the bathroom to see both of them sleeping, as if the fight had never even happened. Shaking his head at this crazy girl, he walked towards the bed and laid himself on his side.
Khushi opened her eyes as she sensed his even breathing. She sat on the bed and looked at the sleeping Ebu. Kneeling on the bed, she took Ebu and laid him on her side. Taking various pillows, she made a wall around Ebu.
"Ebu, today Amma will sleep with Daddy. I hope you don't mind." She pecked his lips and looked at Arnav ji.
She went and laid beside him. She stared at his face. Her mind went back to the conversation she had with Nani. She took his hand in her, intertwining her fingers with his.
"You should not fear anything, Arnav ji. I will never leave you, not until Devi Maiya decides to meet me." getting up on her elbow, she kissed his cheek. "You are a very beautiful confusion." Khushi giggled. "Beautiful.." She moved back his hair from his forehead. She kept staring at him, promising to remove his every fear. Nani was right, he seems so lost, even his sleeping face clearly indicates that.
Khushi felt his hold on her hand tightening. She looked at their joined hands and smiled. She kept their joined hands on his chest and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Good night Arnav ji. Don't you ever fear about anything, if you are scared." Khushi tightened her hold on their joined hands. "Then hold me..."
Hope you guys enjoyed it! This time I am early š Dont forget to share your views
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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