Part 3
An awkward silence graced the place as the three sat there, looking at nothing in particular.
Khushi tilted her head to her right to see Arnav ji sitting there, his eyes staring at the floor---at the vase to his right, the painting at the wall, then again back to the floor. Khushi sighed. Who had thought that a casual meeting with her mother could make Arnav Singh Raizada a ninnyhammer?
"So..."
Khushi looked at her mother, there comes the first word of the evening from her mother, and Khushi desperately prayed that, whatever she is about to ask , doesn't add up to Arnav ji's nervousness.
"You have a Son.." Garima Gupta said. It wasn't a question, a mere statement, letting him know where she wants the conversation to flow.
Arnav lifted his head to look at the elder lady seated in front of him, and then his gaze shifted to Khushi to his right
"Woh ... ermmm..." Khushi started at his rescue. "Amma... you already know that... " Khushi smiled awkwardly.
"Yes...I know that ... who doesn't knows that, right?" Garima looked at her daughter, silencing her by her glare and then turned to her would be son-in-law. "Mr.Raizada, how has he taken the news? I mean I am sure you have told him about this, haven't you?"
Arnav looked at Garima Gupta. She was nothing like Khushi. Khushi carries an aura of comfort with her, but that was not the case with her mother, her scrutinizing gaze was making him uncomfortable. Khushi's glowing face always carries a smile, a smile making it easy to approach her. But her mother's stern face told altogether a different story. Their eyes" Garima Gupta's eyes was intimidating, a kind of shine which tigresses have while protecting her cub.
Arnav again shifted uncomfortably on the couch. But why was she making him feel like a hunter ready to attack her cub?
"Mrs.Gupta, he... he doesn't like talking about ... about ..." He paused, searching for right words. "He isn't worried much about what happens in my life.." Shit! It wasn't supposed to come out like that. "I...I means he is big boy, he is ok with what I do. He doesn't have any problem with the marriage..." he cleared his throat, as if he has just completed a long speech.
"Oh I see. He isn't worried about what happens in your life. And what about you? Are you worried about what happens in his life, or you both have made a pact?" Garima Gupta asked. She can see that the topic had made him uncomfortable, and when it's uncomfortable, things are NOT right, Garima Gupta is nobody's fool.
"Ermm... Amma, you see ...it's just them,.. I mean boys ... You know how boys are ... they don't share everything , so you see..." Khushi half giggled, half grinned, feeling like an absolute idiot.
"khushi..."
"Amma, you know he won this year's best businessman award?" Khushi prayed desperately to shift her Amma to some other topic.
"OH..Yes, I have read that in the newspaper." Garima replied and looked at Arnav. "Congratulations for that, Mr.Raizada."
"Thank you, Mam.." Oh! This was worse than his 1st interview, atleast there he knew the answer to all questions.
"Amma, he ...he also cooks you know? You should try his Italian, he makes it very well. " Now the temperature was dipping and Khushi immediately crossed her finger, praying nothing to go bad.
"That's really nice. But I had taught you cooking, Khushi. I don't think you need a husband who must know cooking. "
"Oh..well...Ya, I know that ..." and here she thought things will turn better.
"For two people to marry, they need not know cooking. There are other things which we should consider before we take the final decision.. " Garima Gupta looked at her daughter.
Khushi looked at her Mother and her fingers which were clutching the end of the cushion, tightened there. She dragged the pillow on her lap. She really don't like that look. In fact she hated that look, a look which she says she and Arnav ji are not meant for each other, a look which tells Arnav ji is the biggest mistake she had committed in 24 year of her life. She hated that look.
"Amma.." Khushi started, ready to change her mother's belief.
"Mrs.Gupta, I know that. And all I can say is, I love your daughter. I know you must be having many doubts and worries, which is justified. But let me assure you, I really love Khushi. Now I can't imagine my life without her. I...I will never leave me, I...I am not capable of leaving her." I will die without her. I am even ready to go on my knee and beg you for her. He so wanted to add, but caught himself in time. Why does he forgets he is Arnav Singh Raizada, a 40 year old self made man, not a teenager madly in love with all the chessy lines ready on the tip of his tongue, when it comes to the girl sitting beside him.
Garima Gupta stared in his eyes, his eyes looking straight in hers. And at that moment she was sure of one thing"The man in front of her wasn't capable of lying.
Khushi looked at his right profile. His posture now confident, words coming out fluently , now he knew what to day, how to say, how much to say. And her heart clamored and danced in joy. Because the topic was she. He had taken all 2 years to say those words to her, but now he had so effortlessly conveyed his feelings to her Amma, without any hesitation, without any uncertainty. Swallowing the sudden lump that rose in her throat, she leaned towards him and placed a soft kiss on his right cheek.
"I too love you ..."
Arnav, surprised, looked at her. Her eyes shining with little mist, the admiration and love there almost make his chest pain.
"Khushi." Khushi shifted her gaze at her mother. "Behave." Garima Gupta shook her head at her daughter. And if she was expecting any bashfully lowering-their-eyes act , which any normal girl might have done, then she was disappointed. And all she got was a wide grin from her idiot daughter. She again shook her head.
"Amma, what more you need? Please say yes now. Please Amma...please.." Khushi pleaded.
After one minute of perfect silence, Garima Gupta spoke.
"You are diabetic, Mr.Raizada, aren't you? " Garima asked and got a nod from both, more vigorous one from her daughter, of-course. "It's ok, we have sugar-free sweets, I am diabetic too..." and if she had intended to add more words, then it died in her throat as her daughter had launched herself on her.
"Thank you. Thank you...Oh Amma...thank you so much ...I love you...I love you so much.."
Garima smiled and hugged her back, kissing her hair.
"I think its time for some sweets..." Garima said and saw her daughter running towards the kitchen. She looked at Arnav, who too was looking at Khushi, desperately trying to control the smile. "Mr.Raizada, Khushi is all I have" Garima said, no traces of earlier sternness and confident but a pinch of vulnerability in her voice.
Arnav smiled at her, a assuring smile, a smile making hundred promises, and then he said.
"Me too.."
That was all said... that was all needed.
...
"Arnav ji, I am so so so proud of you. Amma agreed, she agreed Arnav ji. I am so happy. Did you enjoy the dinner? Amma had made. I wanted to help her and make something for you, but whole day I was in college, then I came to meet you, then we went to your house to select perfect clothes for you, then..."
Arnav was enjoying her banter when she stopped abruptly , which made him look at her. She was escorting him to his car, which was parked at the other side of the road.
"What happened, Khushi?" Arnav asked.
Khushi lifted her eyes to look at him, worry floating in her deep hazel eyes.
"Arnav ji, Aryan... He saw me...I don't know what will he think about me. I thought we will have a perfect introduction, but now it's all messed."
He turned towards her and cupped her face.
"No need to worry about that Khushi. It was nothing, he will think nothing about you." Arnav tried to assure her, when his own mind was clouded with same worry. He himself don't know how things will work between Khushi and his son.
"Arnav ji.. can we ... can we have a proper introduction now? " Khushi asked, eager to met the boy who will soon be her son.
Arnav stared at Khushi, not knowing what to say. He is afraid, afraid that things will not go as Khushi is planning it to go. She thinks Aryan is any normal boy, who needs only love and will accept anyone who provides him the same. But he knows how his son is. He may have not spent much time with him, but he knows him.
"Khushi, I... I think you should meet him after our marriage...I.."
"After marriage?" Khushi asked, shocked. "Arnav ji, what are you saying? That's too long and besides, I don't think it's right. I should meet him, I am going to marry his father, he is bound to get worried about the new member his father is going to bring. Any child will be worried. I think I should meet him, that will help him you know?"
"I know, Khushi..." his thumb grazed her soft cheek, he stared at her, not knowing how to make her understand. "I...Ok...Your mother was talking about some rasam, I will bring him in that rasam, is that ok with you?" Arnav asked.
Khushi smiled.
"More than Ok.."
Arnav leaned to steal a kiss.
"Fine then. I should leave now.."
Khushi nodded her head and saw him entering his car. As she waved her hand at him, he smiled and drove away.
...
Arnav lifted his eyes as he saw some papers kept in front of him.
"What is this, Aryan?" Arnav asked as he took in the papers kept on the table in front of him.
"I want you to sign these papers. " Aryan replied nonchalantly.
Arnav stared at his son, he was not looking at him and Arnav clenched his jaw.
"What is in the papers?"
"Boarding school admission papers. In Shimla" Bending down he picked the papers and forwarded it towards his father.
Arnav stood up from the couch.
"I will not sign those papers. You may leave this room" picking his laptop, he was about to move away when his son's next word made him froze in his place.
"I am not interested in watching a trollop roaming around in this house."
"What did you say?" Arnav chewed out his words, his iris turning dark.
"I said I am not interesting in seeing any trollop in this house, you enjoy your wedding or whatever it is but do not expect me to be your audience."
Keeping his laptop back, he crossed the table and made Aryan look at him, his hands tight around Aryan's arms.
"Take back your words. Now." Arnav's voice came out not more than a whisper, but dangerous enough to convey the storm brewing inside him.
Aryan remained silent, not saying anything.
"I said. TAKE BACK YOUR WORDS, ARYAN!" Arnav bellowed.
Aryan's eyes jerked up to meet his father's frightening one.
"I will not." He replied, obstinately.
And then the slap he received shook the life out of him. Hot aqua instantly sting his eyes, but he held it back. He will be damned if he will give this man the satisfaction of witnessing his hurt.
"You. You will stay here. In this house. And if I ever..every heard you use such words again then..."
"THEN SLAP ME AGAIN. AS IF I CARE!" He jerked away his father's hand and having a last look at him through his seething eyes, he stormed away from there.
Arnav looked at the retreating back of his son and closed his eyes. He shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have! His fisted palm crashed against the wall. He has no idea how to deal with his own son. He don't know how things have come to this. But it has, and he is guilty. He is guilty. He was never a good father to Aryan. Never. All he did was ignore him when he needed him the most . And now when he wants to bridge the gap between them, Aryan is ignoring him. They never had a normal conversation, days passed without crossing each other's path, dinner was always a silent affair. He don't know from how long they have followed this pattern, but it's the same as far as he remembers.
But now he wants it to change. He wants to change himself. He wants to change the awkward relationship he shares with his own Son.
He sat on the bed, clutching his head between his palm. They both have suffered. They both have gone through the pain he dare not wish on his worst enemy. But Aryan's suffering had nothing to do with that woman, who had entered his life and destroyed every tiny peace of his life. Whatever Aryan has become today is because of him. He is the sole reason of turning his boy into an emotionless thing. If he judges the situation from Aryan's stand, then there is no difference between the woman who left him at a tender age, and him. Both had abandoned him when he needed his parents the most. He abandoned his boy when he needed his father the most, and now Aryan is doing the same to him. First he had made himself unreachable and now Aryan is doing the same.
"Dad...dyy.." the tiny feet appeared in front of him as he sat gazing at the floor. He lifted his eyes to look at his son, standing on his wobbly legs and smiling at him.
"Dad..ddyy... Mamma..." little Aryan formed the broken words and came forward to stand between his father's legs. "Mamma..." his face tilted up, asking his father about his mother.
Any father would have leaped forward, carrying his tiny son in his arms, kissing him, consoling him, nuzzling him, giggling with him and he giggled. But Arnav remained glued to his place, no expression, no gesture, just staring at the 2 year old little boy in front of him. Instead of cuddling his son close to his heart, whispering sweets, showering his love on his mother-less son, all he felt was fury. A scorching fury burning his whole being. For a moment he forgot the innocent face looking up at him for an answer, all his mind was able to process was the words uttered by his son.
Mamma!
The woman he married!
The woman who gave him his first born!
And then the same woman left him!
The glass in his hand containing the amber liquid , shook. And now he isn't sure if the boy standing in front of him was his own son or that bas***d's , with whom his wife ran away.
"Mamma..." little Aryan patted his father's thigh, wanting answer to his question.
Arnav's blazing eyes looked at the 2 year old innocent soul in front of him.
"You want your Mamma? So sad, she ran away without you. Looks like she doesn't wants you. She is more than happy without you." his tone mocking. He don't know whom he was mocking, the boy standing in front of him, or himself.
"Mamma..." Aryan again asked, his eyes little troubled now, not understanding his father's words but feeling his father's bitter mood.
"Mamma.." Arnav threw his head back and laughed. "Your Mamma ran away, little boy." He looked at Aryan. "She ran away with her lover, and if you too want to go, then you are free to go. But I doubt you mother is waiting for you outside my house.." he again laughed, the liquor now ruling his senses.
"Dad..ddyy... Mamma..." two fat tears ran down his chubby cheeks.
Arnav's mirth died down instantly as he heard Aryan utter that word again, not noticing the tears. Clenching his jaw, he shouted.
"Hari Prakash! Hari Prakash!! Hari Prakash!!!" Arnav shouted.
"Yes sir..." Hari prakash stood in front of his master, little breathless with the ran he made to the room.
"Take him away..." he pointed towards Aryan.
Hari prakash's downcast head lifted to look at his master, staring at him. But he composed his shocked features and picked Aryan in his arms.
Arnav stared in the pained eyes of Aryan as little Aryan looked at him from over Hari Prakash's shoulder. He averted his eyes from him, wanting to shun every emotions. Emotions were never good for Arnav Singh Raizada. But still he had fallen in the trap woven with emotions , and is now paying for that sin.
A shrill cry from his cell brought him out of his reverie. Lying back on the bed, he took the call.
"Khushi.." he breathed, his chest constricting.
"Arnav ji, are you ok?" Khushi asked, her heart was suddenly feeling all sad.
Arnav closed his eyes, wanting to capture her voice in his mind so that he can play it all night, lulling him to sleep.
"Arnav ji?"
"Khushi... I... I need you ..."
Khushi's hold on her phone tightened, the pain in his voice so palpable.
"I am always there with you, Arnav ji and will be beside you soon .." Khushi tried to smile.
"Soon?"
"Soon..." Khushi promised. "Good night, Arnav ji. You should sleep now, don't stress yourself.." Khushi said, knowing very well that something was disturbing him, but this was not the right time to press the matters.
"Good night.." Arnav replied and the call disconnected.
He don't know how he had survived those days, all he knows is, he had started living once again when the girl with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen, had entered his life, pulling him from the dark abyss he was falling in every day.
Hope you all enjoyed it!
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Edited by shona_arhilover - 10 years ago
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