Ch 6~Saath~{Company}
The frown on his forehead dissolved into relaxation and an adoring smile crept up his lips, his eyes catching a twinkle of extreme happiness, on seeing her smile. It was indeed the most beautiful thing he had ever seen! The way her lips stretched to their extremes and her teeth shined, a beautiful shine covering her eyes too, had left him in the admiration stage for long. He wanted to step forward, take these two angels in his arms and swirl them for the longest time, just to let each of the two know how much he adored them and wanted to see them happy.
He knew he was in love, which won't be accepted by the society, which won't be accepted by Khushi... but he was ready to keep his love silent, for the rest of his life, if needed. Her happiness meant more to him than his own feelings, and he wanted her to let go of the things which pulled her back from experiencing happiness.
Khushi sensed someone at the door, and looked up and her eyes met his. She was amazed by the fact that they were growing close, emotionally. They were able to talk through their eyes, share the things which words can't do.
His smile widened as she placed Mish down carefully and she ran to Arnav, jumping to catch hold of the ice-cream bowl.
"Mish wait" Arnav laughed at her excitement, while Khushi went into the wash to clear the red ink.
He handed over the bowl to Mish and she ran out of the room to have it while watching her favorite cartoon, while he waited for Khushi to come out of the wash."Right. I will send someone to get that. Anything else you want?" His head shook in calculated looks, not wanting her to get upset again by getting reminded of the things that happened there.
"No" her voice trembled out and she closed her eyes shut to refrain from crying. *
After a hectic conversation with Mish about making her accept the fact that Khushi isn't too well to go out with them and that Khushi would make something nice the next time she visits, Arnav and Mish were finally seated in the car, while Khushi waved her hand to bid them goodbye. Arnav hadn't promised Khushi about his returning back for the night, but he was pretty sure that his Di won't let him do so. Mish was too excited about her Khushi auntie, that Arnav had to literally train her during the whole journey from farmhouse to Raizada Mansion to not to blurt out anything about Khushi in front of Anjali.
"Mish, your two teddy bears get cancelled as soon as you take your new friend's name in front of mumma!" Arnav seriously said for the umpteenth time, as they got out of the car and walk towards the entrance.
"Mamu, chill. I am a big girl now. I will manage everything!" the little girl closed her eyes and smiled at him, nodding her little head in an understanding fashion.
"I trust my baby," Arnav heaved a relaxed sigh and pulled her chubby cheeks, before picking her up in his arms and walking inside the mansion.
After freshening up, all four sat four sat for dinner, which was most of a silent affair. Anjali asked Mish about the places where Arnav took her, to which Mish would coyly smile at Arnav and then, very smartly name one or the other shop in her favorite mall, where they two went for window shopping. Arnav's breath hitched every time Mish would smile at him, anticipating her to take Khushi's name, but whose niece she was! How can she break a deal?
"And then I watched Doreamon while having ice cream!" Mish ended her concocted story, flashing Anjali and Varun her bright broken-toothed smile.
"Which shop has Doreamon playing on its television?" Anjali asked chuckling, wiping her tiny hands with a napkin.
"In farmhouse.." Mish shrugged her shoulders as a matter-of-fact and then bit her tongue in a small 'oops', while Arnav couldn't do anything but close his eyes in despair.
"Farmhouse? Our farmhouse?" Anjali gasped in confusion, her eyes narrowing at Mish and then at Arnav.
"Di there is a new restaurant named Farmhouse" Arnav fumbled out, hoping that she won't be able to make out his lie.
"Hm" Anjali smiled while nodding her head and he heaved a sigh of relief.
He didn't wanted Anjali to know about Khushi, not at least at this time, when things had just started to change for better. Not that Anjali wouldn't support him in whatever he did, but somewhere, he felt uneasy with the fact that if Anjali condemns his actions, would he still be able to take care of Khushi the same way like he does at the present time?
Varun was done with his dinner and he departed to his room to complete some work, while Anjali collected all the used dishes and walked into the kitchen to put them in the dishwasher.
"Mamu," Mish climbed down her chair and came close to Arnav, "When will we meet Khushi auntie again?"
Arnav let out a throaty chuckle and moved his hand through her silky hair, "Very soon."
He was glad that his niece was acting as his right hand in getting Khushi to her happy-self. Whatever may her past be, her present was with him, and he would make sure that her pain wouldn't be allowed to occupy any place.
After being ordered by her mother, Mish went to her room to brush her teeth and prepare to sleep. As Arnav was about to leave, he felt Anjali's hand gripping his wrist, gesturing him to sit down back on the chair.
"What happened Di?" he smiled softly and cocked his eyebrow, trying to comprehend the cold look on her face.
"Who's Khushi?" she asked sternly and an inaudible gasp escaped his mouth, his orbs widening with each second.
"Di.." He stuttered, unable to speak anything with her serious gaze boring right into his eyes, "She is a new employee in AR.."
"Wow! My Arnav will lie to me now?" Her accusing words made him close his eyes and gulp hard.
His eyes twitched uncomfortably and his larynx wobbled as he gulped again. There was no escape; he felt helpless.
'Go Arnav, speak the truth out; she's your sister' his insides screamed and he gulped once more, letting go of the negative thoughts of the consequences.
He started off with the story, about how he found Khushi on the road and what all happened at the hospital, skipping all the things that he ought to keep in secrecy. He ended after telling her about Shyam's imprisonment and hiding his realization of being in love. Both stared at each other for the longest of times, when he saw her eyes getting teary. He immediately moved ahead and wiped off her initial tears with the pads of his thumbs, embracing her in a warm hug. He knew why his sister cried.. Khushi's story did bring back memories which still ached their hearts, buried deep under the pages of past.
Not really satisfied with this 😳 Next would be better, I promise. Like and comment :)Any suggestions/ ideas/ criticism[constructive] is most welcome! -Thanks for reading- Edited by -SanjanaSobti- - 10 years ago
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