Arshi FF : Merger Thrd #3 Chp 34 - Pg 86 - 2 Posts - Page 24

Brilliant update...thanks for the PM

Thank you for your concern
the message regarding awareness
for the women..
beautiful

Agree with you regarding your thoughts about
marriages... women should not neglect
their happiness in the process
accepting and growing in marriage...

don't forget your worth is equally important

A/n: Hello All! I just kept writing and writing. And didn't realise its 3 weeks up since my last update. And finally had to spilt the update and present you this one. I should have the next one coming up shortly (by my standards). May be a week more.

About this update, I will first let you read it. And then have put up a note at the end. Do comment and let me know if you agree with me.

I really loved each and every one of the comments. Thankyou a ton for your kind and sweet words.

As usual, eagerly waiting to know your thoughts.

CHAPTER 31:

Pain is a weird thing. Once you are victim of it, like any other addiction, you don't want to be out of it, for the fear that you may land right back again. Then the whole point of stepping out of it, is lost. Even if what is beckoning you is a mammoth happiness, your pain creates waves of doubts. Each wave giving you a different reason to not invite the happiness awaiting at your door step with open arms.

But when the heart knows that its true love that is beckoning, it sheds the layers of misery accumulated over the years and exposes itself to be tended to. Liberating itself, ever so carefully, from the years of enslavement.

But the real question is, how many are willing to wait for the bruised heart to come out of its enclosure and how many would go all the way to heal it?

Khushi sensed Arnav's lips lingering at the back of her palm. An unease started to creep up. Were they allowed to do all this? But the need to revel in his love for her took precedence and the overwhelming happiness in her heart escaped through her eyes.

And Arnav relished the feel of the kiss, fantasizing, yet again, how her soft lips would taste like. Because now there was no need to hold back his feelings. And there was no stopping him especially after knowing Khushi reciprocated with equal fervour if not more.

He raised his head and tears of happiness had made a trail at the side of her closed eyes. He put her palm aside and kissed the tears away.

Involuntarily, Khushi lifted herself and hid inside the crook of his neck. A chaos was starting in her mind and she badly wanted to shut it out. And Arnav took her in and went back to lay on his back. Her hold on this collar and around the neck was pretty strong for a petite girl. Thinking she wanted to be held closer, Arnav held her tight, minding not to squish her. She snuggled in closer, wrapping her feet around his calf, just below his knee. He smiled, wondering if she was already ready to take it to the next level. Nah! She would smack him for even thinking about it at the moment.

And they lay like that just for a few minutes. Khushi's hold did not relax. And Arnav felt her pulse and heart thudding away rapidly. Is this how much he affected her? Was this her way of letting him know what he meant to her? Was this her way of expressing her love, just as he had showered her with kisses? His happiness went a notch up. He left a long breath, letting go of a lifetime of pent up fatigue. His Khushi was drenching him with love and happiness. And he was not going to stop her. He wanted this... he needed this.

When all of a sudden he felt her stiffen, let go of his collar, slid a bit away, and got up. She sat up, looking everywhere but him.

Something pricked Arnav. All her ministrations seemed futile, because they seemed... seemed... incomplete... It felt as if she thought of it as a mistake. Because, at the moment, she seemed distant; trying to keep herself away from him. Brushing the negative thoughts away, he tried to see it on a positive note. May be she was shy. All girls, nah! All girls of Khushi's type feel shy. A mischievous smile spread across his lips.

"Mujhe abhi ghar nahi jaana hain!" He complained like a small child.

She looked at him and smiled. But the smile per se was incomplete for Arnav. She stood up to walk away from him, but Arnav held her hand. "What's it Khushi?" He wanted to know what was going on in that muddled mind of hers.

She held his palm with both her hands and silently nodded a no, indicating that nothing was the matter.

She let go of his hand and silently went and collected her bag, indicating she was ready to go home. Something gnawed at the back of his mind. He was not able to precisely point to it. So he let it be for the moment.

He got up, and inserted his shirt back, a tiny smile teasing at the tip of his lips.

Khushi smiled too, but it was the same half hearted smile. Her fake smile. Arnav let it be... again.

***

They sat in the car and made way towards home. As soon as Arnav settled into a comfortable drive, he held her palm and placed it on his lap. Squeezing it every once in a while. They kept exchanging silent looks at each other. Serene and untarnished happiness had made way into their lives. They had always lived a guarded life. And out of habit, they were letting this feeling to seep into them, albeit slowly. And each drop of happiness seemed to soothe ever so gently.

In a traffic light, Arnav released his hold on her and reached out for his phone. Khushi withdrew his hand from his lap, but he quickly grasped her hand and placed it back on his lap, frowning at her.

He played a song, and connected it to the blue tooth of the car. Khushi had seen him play this song many a times in the past month and half that she was with him.

Tose Naina Jabse Miley

"You like this song a lot?" She asked him out of curiosity.

"And here I was thinking that you already knew what I have been wanting to say all these days..." Arnav shook his head, displaying mock exasperation. "Listen to it Khushi. This song kind of conveys my feelings, atleast some part of it." He restarted the song, and this time, Khushi paid attention to its lyrics.

Iss lamhe ko rok doon
Yaa main khud ko is mein jhonk doon
Kya karun.. kya karun.. kya karun...
Iss lamhe.. main kuchh bhi jaanu na

(Naina naina laage...)

Tose naina jab se mile
Tose naina jab se mile
Bann gaye silsile

Tose naina jab se mile..

O sudh-budh khoyi hai khoyi maine
Haan jaan gawaayi, gawaayi maine
Haan tujhko basaya hai dhadkan mein
Saanware...

Tose naina jab se mile
Tose naina jab se mile
Ban gaye silsile

(Naina naina laage...)

Khud ko kho kar tujhko paaya
Iss tarah se mujhko jeena aaya
O...
Khud ko kho kar tujhko paaya
Iss tarah se mujhko jeena aaya

Teri lagan mein sab hai gawaaya
Iss tarah se mujhko jeena aaya
Teri hansi, meri khushi
Meri khushi tu hi...

Tose naina jab se miley
Tose naina jab se miley
Bann gaye silsile

Naina naina laage...

He remembered the first time they had met. Those eyes... slightly teary, slightly hurt, slightly angry... those eyes were etched forever in his mind. And thus had begun his story - The story of finding his way to her.

She had shown him the way out of his miseries, had taught him to choose life and happiness, instead of crumbling in the wretchedness of his past. Iss tarah se mujhko, jeena aaya.

"Meri Khushi, tu hi." He repeated the lyrics, as the song came to end.

Khushi's throat constricted, overwhelmed with this gesture. A gesture which had stared at her all these days, and she had been foolish enough to not make sense out of it. Her eyes misted and lips quivered, relaying how moved she was.

Arnav held her palm again. Placing a chaste kiss on it, he held it close to his heart. He looked at her, as much as the moving road allowed him. This was just one of the many ways he wanted to let her know his feelings.

"Arnavji, Wont you play it again for me...?" She requested.

This time both of them heard the song, but they remained quiet, enjoying each other's silent company; allowing the droplets of happiness drip and seep into their parched hearts. And all through the song, she had squeezed his lap intermittently and had been drawing random designs with her finger, whenever the lyrics spoke to her and she understood their meaning. By the end of the song, Arnav realised that she had been doing it unaware to herself. He loved it!

***

Arnav held her hand, as they stepped out of the car. Khushi tried to free her hand, frowning at him and fearing someone might see them.

Arnav was miffed. So what? They were in love. Atleast this much was allowed, wasn't it? It was not as if they were kissing in public.

Khushi, frowned at him and walked to the lift. Once inside, he pulled her to himself, from behind, locking her in his arms. Khushi elbowed him, indicating the security camera. He sulked and reluctantly let go of her.

He tried to hold her again as they walked towards their apartment. She smacked on his palm. Arnav was pissed.

And this is how he rang the door bell of the house, and you can quite imagine what he must have felt when he saw Aakash who had opened the door for them.

"What the hell did you tell Khushi about the Bridal Calendar photos Aakash?" Arnav dashed towards his little brother in anger.

Aakash bit his tongue and scratched his head, having been caught. Not wanting to be admonished too much, he tried the reverse tactic. "I... woh..." He stammered, and found his saviour right behind his Bhai. "I didn't say anything wrong, did I Khushi B?" He tried to hide behind her.

"Do you know that it almost back fired?"

"Par bhai, aisa lag to nahi raha." Aakash accused his Bhai of getting upset unnecessarily. All seemed just fine between them.

"And what's this Khushi B, Khushi B that you keep saying?" Arnav continued to roast Aakash.

"Oh that... ? I will tell you tomorrow." He carelessly sauntered back inside the house, his tongue rolling in his mouth.

Khushi angrily tugged at Arnav's shirt, asking him to let it go.

"Phir se? You are again asking me to calm down?"

"Sshh!!!" She placed a finger on his lips, pushing him to the wall near the door. This was enough for Arnav's mood to oscillate to the other side. He kissed her finger quickly. She frowned again, visibly upset with him, all the time looking towards the living room. Hoping frantically that no one had seen them.

She withdrew from him quickly, slipped off her sandals and walked towards her room.

Everybody seemed to be missing, including Aakash, who was just here a minute ago. Mirroring her thoughts Arnav came searching as well. They heard some hushed voices from inside Naani's room. Arnav pushed the door open. They were all hustled together, deep in a discussion. And jumped when they heard him, like a deer caught in a headlight.

"Kuch nahi Arnao bitwa, hum tumhare shaadi ke baarein mein discussing kar rahein hain." Maami spilled the truth.

"Meri Shaadi?" Arnav frowned

"Tumhri naahi bitwa, Anjali bitiya ki." Naani corrected him.

The rest of them chorused a yes with Naani. But Naani herself was shooting angry glances at Maami.

"Whatever!" Arnav couldn't and didn't want to understand his crazy family. He went back to his room.

Khushi heard the conversation. She was hidden from the rest of the family. But she had heard Maami clearly. She had mentioned about Arnavji's marriage. The insecurities which were peeping out just a while ago, and which she was trying hard to keep at bay, came out and loud in the open.

They ate dinner. Arnavji as usual finished up quickly and went to the living room to watch news. He showed no signs of their intimate gestures just a while ago. The rest of the family hustled and whispered in pairs and silenced up whenever she was around. She kind of felt they wanted her to be away. Feeling lonely, Khushi went to her room. Sleep evaded her. Mixed feelings. That's what were filling her heart at the moment. Doubts lingered. Would Arnavji stand true to his words? Would he follow through his promise to get both the families to agree to their marriage? Would his family agree? Was his family thinking of some other alliance? Her Amma? What about her?

She knew how much Amma distrusted Arnavji. And she didn't have the heart to hurt her Amma. No one understood her Amma. Her bitterness was her way of venting out the agony of her wounds. Khushi had seen her crumble all these years. From hopeful days that her husband might be back, then the doubts if he is going to be back, then the sudden burden of two young girls, no support of any other family member - not even emotionally and morally; She had seen her Amma being detested by the society. It was her father who was at fault, but the irony was that he was living his life happily, while her mother, the most innocent in the entire story seemed to have the most hopeless life. Her father, with a snap of his finger, had killed his mother's soul, just like that.

And if her Amma did not like this relationship, then Khushi didn't have the heart to break her Amma's heart and trust again. And if Amma said anything in a fit of anger, would Arnavji take it lightly? He was not obliged to see her Amma in the same light as she herself saw her. Would Arnavji behave like NK? Would he end the relationship?

I love you, my love. Arnavji had confessed his love. But with all due respect, would he be able to follow through his feelings. Would its intensity change? Would it simmer down when he started to see things in reality? They had such a private moment just couple of hours ago. But he seems to be so normal right now.

And what about herself? Why had she not reciprocated the words? She loved him, there was no doubt about that. She loved only him, and didn't have the ability to love another man with the same intensity. But for her, the sacred words had to be told only when everything is concrete and tangible and real! Only when there is a surety that the relationship would thrive.

Suddenly all the happiness that she felt just a while ago seemed incomplete. When Anjali finally came into the room, she realised that she had been thinking for a really long time. And no doubt Anjaliji and the rest of the family must have been having their hushed discussions. She closed her eyes. Suddenly even Anjaliji seemed a stranger to her. Pretty soon she saw Anjali lying down in a deep slumber. But unsettling thoughts evaded her own sleep. She wished she could talk to Arnavji. But did she have the right to talk to him? To share her feelings? How would he feel when he came to know that she doubted if he would keep his word? Insulted, of course. And then there were his kisses and the physical intimacy. They had no right to do that either. Weren't all those things to be held back until after the wedding?

The bed seemed to have thorns, and pushed her out of it. She went to the living room. Aakashji had sprawled on the sofa. She went and sat on the sofa chair, drawing her legs up close to her. Feeling melancholic, she phased out back into her thoughts.

***

She felt being shaken. She opened her eyes into the dark, feeling out of focus. She adjusted her eyes to see Arnavji bent near her.

"What are you doing here?" He asked in a hushed voice. Her previous thoughts came back to her. Sleep must have overpowered her sometime in the middle of all of it.

She looked on blankly at him. Should she talk to Arnavji about her disconcerting thoughts? Wouldn't he be upset when he realised she didn't trust him completely? But they were about to embark upon a life together. So she should have the freedom to share her feelings with him, isn't it? Freedom! What is it? What does it feel like to be free?

Arnav looked at her blank phased out face. She was thinking something very hard. And she was searching for the answer in his eyes. Without a second thought, he held her by the hand, and took her outside the house. The mid-night chill hit them and Khushi hadn't worn anything warm. So taking her to the park was out of question. He looked here and there. The stairway. People hardly used it now a days. At least not in the middle of the night. He pulled her behind him and went inside the enclosed area.

Pushing her to a corner, he asked her "Kya hua?" His face was ridden with worry, but her face essayed hopelessness and gloom.

She looked down. What was she supposed to tell him?

"Sweet heart, what's wrong?" He cupped her face, nudging her to look up.

She was feeling very weighed down by her thoughts. And he was the only one who could allay it. She asked him, nonetheless, fearing his reaction.

"Arnavji, do you still... do you still continue to have those feelings?"

Arnav's brows creased.

"Just wanted to check if ... You haven't changed your mind, have you?" Her tone was very transactional, very distant.

Do you still love me, was her intrinsic question. If you don't, then I would like my hurt to be as less as possible, she implied.

"Of course Khushi. Why are you having doubts sweetheart?" He tenderly grazed her cheek and chin with his thumb and forefinger.

She just hung her head down. Tired of all these doubts.

"I am just scared... If this ends, for whatever reasons... then what next?" She leaned on him, resting her forehead on his shoulder blade. As the seconds passed, Arnav felt the weight of her entire body falling on him. She was scared. Sh*t scared as to how things would fall in place. And she was not going to buy his words. For the first time ever, Arnav started to doubt her faith in him. He knew most likely, she did not have the ability to trust people's words. She had never seen a man worthy of her trust. But the question really was did she believe *him*? May be this is what Di was talking about the other day. To reassure your partner again and again, till they believe you.

Arnav directed both of them to sit in the corner of the stairway. He leaned back against the corner, and got Khushi to sit in the gap between his legs. Once she sat down, the covered her with his arms and legs. Khushi was stiff against his body. But she also needed his assurance, irrespective of whether she would feel assured or not. She wanted to hear him say again and again, that he loved her and he would try his best to bring their dreams to reality.

"Khushi, my feelings for you are not the kind that would change. Ok?" She laid silently on his chest, without reacting.

"No matter who says what, we are getting married. Period."

She shifted her head back and looked at him. "No!" came her firm reply. "I don't want a single person in our families to shed tears. At least not because of us."

"Not happening!" he replied with equal sharpness. "Take that from me."

"Then we cannot happen either." She moved back to sit straight. "See this is what I was saying. We shouldn't get close. All this will only increase our agony when.. when we separate." Tears filled her eyes.

"Tch, come back here." He pulled her back into the embrace. "Cutie, I promise, I will take care of everything. Can you trust me on this one?" He held her hand in his, and brought them to his heart.

Khushi just closed her eyes. The heaviness in her heart was not easing.

Arnav knew what he had to do. And do it soon. Because, he felt her drifting away from him.

Earlier when he had laid down on his bed, sleep was no where in sight for him as well. He felt bare without Khushi next to him. Every time he held her, it just... just felt... Right... Perfect! As if everything had finally fallen in place in his life. And he wanted that feeling to continue every moment going on. This distance between them was NOT OK. Feeling restless and mostly irritated that he had to wait till the morning to talk to everyone at home, he had woken up to go for a run, even if it was in the middle of the night. That's when he had spotted the silhouette of Khushi in the dark, in the living room.

After this conversation, he could no longer take her wish lightly. He had to get as many family members acceptance as possible. But mostly Di's and her Amma's. That would be his priority. He would bull doze the rest. He pulled her closer, feeling lighter at his resolution.

But Khushi pushed at him and sat straight. "Arnavji, humein ab yeh sab nahi karna chahiye."

"Yeh Sab, matlab?" He knew what she was talking about, but found it amusing how she couldn't even word it. How was she going to deal with bohot sab'? he wondered.

"Yeh Sab." She indicated into the space between them.

"Matlab, yeh?" He grazed his fingers along her cheek. "Aur yeh?" He leaned to kiss her there.

"Aap samajh kyun nahi rahein hain?" She pushed him hard and got up.

"Do you realise how hard its going to be, to see someone love you and then see the same person being indifferent towards you? Do you know how it aches here?" She pointed at her heart. "Saansein rukh jaati hain Arnavji. Aap nahi samjhenge... koi nahi samajhta." She turned around to walk out, but Arnav caught her wrist just in time. He stood up to come face to face with her.

"Khushi, phir se? It's so goddamn frustrating. Frustrating that you have concluded that we are going to separate. Here I am, trying so hard to keep up the spirits. And you... Now, tell me... Tell me the real thing that's bothering you."

"The fear of hearing a NO, Arnavji. Fear of REJECTION." She declared, tears streaming down her eyes.

"I have never asked anything from anyone. Quite frankly, there was none to ask in the first place. And today, I have you. The thing I want the most. The person who makes me want to "live" to "breath" to "smile" to "dream". The person with whom I can have the freedom. Freedom to "ask" to "demand" to do things for me."

"Then here I am Khushi. Live your dream. Demand from me."

"You don't get it Arnavji. I am not built that way. I am a person who works her way up and takes what comes her way because of her hard work. But never stretch out to grab something. You have no idea how many NO's I have faced in life. But this is a NO I cant deal with."

"I want you to come to me Arnavji, without having to hear a NO. I want that life to come to me. The one thing that makes me so happy, I want that happiness to come to me on its own accord. I know it's foolish to give up even before I try. But I don't want to "fight" for it. Because, a fight implies that one person thinks that it is wrong. But there is nothing wrong in what I am asking for. I want my absolute happiness to come to me unhindered. Is that too much to ask for, especially for a person who has never tasted true happiness ever before?" Her voice was already hoarse with accumulating tears. She threw the question at him and turned around and walked away.

Arnav stood stunned. He was her true happiness. He was her life. Her reason to smile, breath and dream and most importantly her hope of freedom. His eyes misted, a small smile of contentment adorning his lips. He gulped hard, feeling overwhelmed by her feelings towards him. She cherished him and constantly bore the fear of losing him. The fear was killing her, because he meant the world to her. He would fight for her, for them. He would bring her her smile.

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

He flipped his phone, not caring the time of the day.

"Kaka..."

"Ji Saheb..."

Arnav went on to place his request. First he needed Kaka's approval. Only then would Kaka be able to convince Khushi's Amma for the alliance.

Arnav told him the truth. Atleast some part of it. Shyam's threat. Khushi with him at the moment. The guards outside her house. And most of all, Khushi's fear that her mother would not approve.

Kaka assured him that he would get nothing but a yes from Garima. They decided that he should take the next flight available and go to talk to Khushi's Amma.

Arnav came straight back home. Went and checked on Khushi. She was lying beside Di. Wide awake, he knew. And most likely weeping.

He went back and switched on his laptop, to book Kaka's ticket.

He impatiently waited for the day break. As soon as Khushi was ready, he told her that he had work elsewhere, so he had asked the driver to come to pick her up. The lawyer was coming to the office, and she had to speak to him, he lied.

As soon as she left the house, he pulled his Di into her room. Pulling a stool in front of her, he spoke grimly.

"Di... Ummm... Ok..." he adjusted his throat. "I will come straight to the point."

"I want to marry Khushi." He was looking down at his entwined fingers all along. When he heard no response from his Di, he looked her in the eye. And could make nothing of it. She was blank. Lips slightly parted and jaw had dropped down in surprise.

"Say something Di." He prodded her.

"Naani... Maami..." she shouted out for them.

"Tch, why Naani and Maami..." Before he could complete his sentence, Maami walked in, closely followed by Naani.

"Kaa hua Anjali bitiya."

"Moo meetha karaayiye Maami. Chotey has said yes, even without us asking for it."

Arnav looked slightly zapped.

"Arey buddhu, this is exactly what we were talking yesterday night. Dekha Naani, we wasted so many days planning to ask him about marrying Khushiji. And here, he just finished it in one sentence." Anjali pouted, feeling all her planning went in vain.

"I have to talk to Khushiji first." Anjali clapped in glee and reached for her phone.

"Wait, not on phone." He didn't want to miss out the happiness on her face when she heard the news. Arnav called the driver and asked him to drive back home. Khushi sat surprised when he turned the car back.

As Khushi stepped inside the house, the entire Raizada clan rushed towards her with open arms.

Khushi was clueless. They got her to sit on the big sofa in the living room.

"Anjaliji, yeh sab kya hain?" She asked, slightly shaken by this change of approach.

"Ok.. ok, shanth everyone." Anjali hushed everbody.

"Achcha Bhabhi," she tenderly held Khushi's chin. "Kya aap hamarein Chotey se shaadi karengi?" She asked, tears brimming at the corner of her eyes.

Khushi, gulped hard. Not believing the turn of events within a few hours. Arnav stood at the corner, leaning against the wall, hands across his chest, legs crossed on the floor, giving a lopsided smile. She looked at each and everyone in the family. Anjaliji, Naaniji, Maamiji, Maamaji and Aakashji. They all not only had this look of approval but were eagerly waiting for her response. Her eyes finally landed on Arnav. Her Arnavji. He had acted on his words... so quickly... just for her.

But instead of her, Arnav broke the silence. She agreed to say yes, on two conditions.

All looked at him in surprise.

"She wants the approval of all of you and her Amma."

"What? You already spoke to her?" Anjali pouted again. She had planned forever to ask her dear friend to marry her kid-brother.

But the elders appreciated Khushi's approach. Very rare to find such a girl, just like their Anjali biitya. "Bohot hi sanskaari hain hamaari bitiya." She got praises from them.

Anjali hugged her friend, truly feeling happy. Finally her Chotey had found his happiness. His Khushi.

"Di, yeh sab' karna band kariye. Yeh sab karna allowed nahi hain."

"Kya sab Chotey?"

"Yahi, all this hugging and all. We are yet to get her Amma's approval."

Arnav was trying really hard to get a smile out of her, but Khushi's fear of losing him and her need to have everyone's approval seemed to have placed them on the opposite banks of a river.

"Don't worry about your Amma Khushiji." Anjali turned towards her. "Nobody can withstand the charm of Anjali Singh Raizada. I will definitely get a yes out of her." For the first time, Arnav saw a glint of positivity in Khushi. He would take that for now. His thoughts went to Kaka and wondered if he would give him any good news.

***

"Pata tha. Pata tha ki apna moo kala karke hi chodegi, yeh ladki" Garima cursed her own daughter.

"Kya baat kar rahi ho Garima. Saheb wants to marry her. Did you hear me right?"

"Arey bhaiyya, your Saheb is just using Khoosi." He is going to throw her out once he is done with her. That's what all men do.

"Garima, watch your language." Kaka bellowed.

"Suna Kaka. This is what Amma keeps saying about Arnavji, every time his topic comes up. I knew Arnavji likes Jiji."

"Atleast now give in Amma. He is a very nice person."

"Achcha? And how do you know him? I know we don't have a lot of money. But what is with you two girls who are dying to run behind men?"

"Amma!!" Payal gasped.

"Garima!!" SLAP!!

"What a mouth you possess Garima. How can you talk to your own girls like this? I have seen them. I have seen Khoosi bitiya dying a slow death with you. But I thought some day, when some good comes along her way, you would be the first to hold her hand and send her into that path."

"Chi... I despise even the sight of you. Udhar Sasi has married and leading a heavenly life. And here your are getting your kick out of abusing your daughters. What kind of kismat are these two girls born with?"

"Sasiji...??!!" Garima paused. Shocked. "He..he is alive?"

"Very much. And has married a millionaire's daughter. And it seems he has a son too."

"You saw him Bhaiyya? Did you talk to him? Did he ask about us?" Garima asked, expectantly.

"The truth is, I didn't see him Garima. Khoosi bitiya did."

Garima gasped as she heard the entire story as to how Khushi had chanced upon seeing her father. And the news about his wife and son.

"Why didn't Khoosi tell me this earlier?"

"Because she has a heart of gold, Garima. Don't you think you were better off not knowing that he is living happily today? Werent you better off in your bliss?"

Garima went numb hearing the news.

Kaka's phone rang. It was Arnav Sahib. He stepped out of the house and took the call.

"Saheb, this will take some time. Are you ok?"

"Of course Kaka. Of course." Arnav tried to hold his concern back.

"Saheb, Khoosi bitiya ke haath mat chodiyega. Irrespective of who says what... please."

"Kaka, that is never going to happen. Please stay rest assured." Arnav assured the old man, but was worried himself. He would give it couple of days more, he decided.

Kaka returned inside the house, with a renewed resolution to get Garima to come around and accept the alliance. But instead, he heard Garima speak softly.

"Bhaiyya, would we be able to locate Sasiji?" She asked expectantly.

Kaka and Payal stood stunned looking at her.

***

Next day, evening 6 pm. The three of them were now bone tired and shamelessly sat down on the mud and the grass at the sides of the road.

Kaka, Garima and Chutki had boarded the over night bus and come in search of Shashi Gupta. Given that Kaka new the name of his office, it was not very difficult.

And they had even spotted him entering the office in the morning. They had stepped inside asking for him. The receptionist, who had been very polite at the very beginning, but had suddenly called for the security guards and shunted them out.

After that, they had waited outside throughout the sunny day. With aching legs, stomach gurgling with hunger. Throats parched.

They had spotted his car, twice again.

As the dusk fell, they saw the car come out again. Garima almost didn't recognise him when he stepped out. He was clean shaven, wearing a suit, shiny shoes. He had glasses now. He looked very...very respectable.

For years her mind oscillated between many thoughts. May be he was alive, may be he was dead, may be he had lost his memory and was actually lost. But whatever was the scenario, she always fantasised that, if she ever met him again, he would always have the smile that he used to give her, whenever he was back home from work. They had had their good times all those years back. And she never really figured out what went wrong. But, whatever the matter was, her husband loved her, that she was very sure about.

But this man... who was this man in front of her? For the last 5 minutes he had been nothing but cursing her! That she was here to blackmail him, she was a gold digger, a sadist who was here to spoil his life again. Her thoughts stopped at the word "again". Which implicitly meant she had spoilt his life all those years ago. He questioned about the man and the girl standing beside her. Are they your new family? Shameless woman. What shameless levels can you stoop? How can you come seeking for your ex-husband right in front of your new one? The curses and insults continued.

Kaka raised his hand to hold Shashi's collar. Garima stopped him. Holding her daughter in one hand, she walked away from that stranger behind her. Shashi hauled some more insults, but she never turned back. He threatened her with dire consequences if she pursued again. But she never turned back. He stood there in the middle of the road, but the woman, the man and the girl never turned back.

That night, Shashi Gupta died. Not the body. No, it was still alive. But his honour had died that day. All these years, he had convinced himself that whatever he did all those years ago was the right thing to do. He was feeling suffocated leading a down trodden life. He had his right to come up in life. So, he had moved away in search of greener pastures. But today, he had seen it in Garima's eyes. From being hopeful, to confused, to hurt, to giving up, to being indifferent and finally pity. Of all the things he had never expected that Garima' would *pity* him'. He had always envisioned the other way round.

He too had visualised this scenario again and again. If he ever met Garima and his children, then he had presumed that she would cry and beg him to return to her. But she had surprised him today by showing that she was much superior to him. True, he had the riches, though they were due to his current wife. But Garima had left with what he would never be able to get back in life. Pride! Shashi Gupta had finally died today.

***

Chutkii was worried about her Amma. They had managed to board the last bus back home. But her Amma had not spoken a word since seeing that man. That man who had yelled at her Amma, couldn't be her father. Frankly it didn't make any difference to her. Her Amma and her Jiji were her world. But Amma had withdrawn and completely shut herself out since meeting that man. Feeling scared, the young girl had caught hold of her mother's arm. And resting her head on her shoulder, she got into a deep slumber, tired with the developments of the day.

Some relationships die a slow death. In Garima's case it had been kept on life support for 14 long years. And today, finally - at last, she had *accepted* the truth - the stark truth. And the cord had snapped. And something in her mind flipped. In a jiffy, a haze had lifted from her eyes. And for the first time in so many years she was seeing the facts - in all its totality and reality.

Garima gazed straight ahead in the moving bus. A void filling her. The man called Shashi Gupta had been nothing but a farce in her life. She meant nothing to him. He did not want her. Nor her children. Her children. Her Khoosi. How did she feel when she saw her father, happily conversing with a new wife and a child? Her Khoosi, her pillar through all these difficult years. She had spent 14 years hoping that her husband would return to her, for her. There were days when she had been able to pick herself up, being hopeful. And as time passed, she had become physically sick, mentally depressed and cynical. And in all this, her Khoosi had stood strong. Taking care of her Amma and her Chutki. Garima herself had blamed her child for her father going away. All that for a man, for whom she did not exist. She had spent her prime age in pining for that man. Surprisingly, she was not angry at her husband. Because, today he seemed like a person who never existed in the first place. What she felt was a deep loathing for herself. She felt disgusted with herself for treating her children the way she did. She had chosen to pine for a husband who didn't care about her over her children who yearned for her love and care. But not anymore. She looked down at the young girl leaning on to her shoulders. She gently shifted herself and cupped her child's face, waking her in the process.

"Beta, can you and your Jiji find it in you to forgive me?" She pleaded, with her lips quivering.

Her child crushed herself to her heart, embracing her mother. And Garima found her life come back to her. She had never been so grateful to her Devi Maiyya as she had been today.

After a short while, Payal slept again, in her mother's lap, under the soft caress of her hand. She had seen her mother smile for the first time ever. She had to share this experience with her Jiji, she told herself, before succumbing to slumber.

Garima tapped at the shoulder of Ramu Bhaiyya.

"Bhaiyya, about this alliance, with your Saheb. Are you sure about him Bhaiyya? Is he a good boy? Will he take care of my Khoosi?"

"He is a gem Garima. I can vouch for his character. Trust me Garima, he is the best you can find for our Khoosi bitiya." He told her patiently again. He wondered what this mother-daughter duo were made of. How are they able to get through such a trauma?

"Theek hain Bhaiyya. If you are so confident, can you take things forward? What should be our next step?"

"Why Garima, why this sudden change of heart?"

"Bhaiyya, for 14 years I have lived in my own world. A bubble where I pitied only myself, thought only about how bad the fate has been to me. I yearned for a life with a man, who did not even see me. I put a pause to my life, waiting for him. And in the mean time, my child has steered us through these years, without letting us sink. I have never realised the worth and ability of my child, Bhaiyya. The sacrifices that she must have made for us. How many wishes and wants has she killed in her heart as a child? I donot know. And I donot know this Arnav Saheb Bhaiyya. But he is my child's choice. Whether her life will lead on to good or bad, I will stand by her, just like she has stood by me all these years. Even now, if I don't gather myself together and be her mother, then what is the difference between me and her father?" Garima confessed.

Kaka had a new found respect for Garima today. She had finally seen and accepted the truth rather than drowning in false hopes and wishful thinking.

When the bus stopped for a recess next, he called his Saheb. He knew that no matter, what time of the day, his Saheb must be eager waiting for this break through.

And wasn't he right in his guesses.

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

By the time they got down the auto rickshaw at Garima's house, later in the morning, they saw a family of 6 standing at their doorstep. Khushi was standing farthest, closer to the door. And beside her was that boy whom she had seen that night, Garima recognised. Her Arnavji. Today, adorning new eyes, she saw both of them. They looked like a treat to the eyes. He was stealing glances at her Khoosi. Eyes filled with only love and concern for her bitiya.

Kaka walked ahead taking control of the situation. "Arey Saheb, you never said you are coming here. Namaste Anjali bitiya." he greeted the young girl, who was bubbling in happiness.

Arnav mumbled something about calling him, but his phone was out of reach.

"This is Garima, Khoosi's mother." He made the introduction.

"Namaste Aunty. Hi Chutki." Anjali walked up to her younger daughter and embraced her with great affection.

***

Very early in the morning Arnavji had woken her up, giving the news that her mother was ok about them. He had updated her only in short, that he had asked Kaka to convince her mother. Without wasting a single moment he had booked all the 7 tickets. Well Aakash wasn't really required, but he would've been the only one left out at home.

In the flight the family thought that the couple would enjoy some privacy and left them to take the window and middle seat. Aakash slopped beside Arnav and went to sleep, or so he pretended. His Bhai and Khushi B, could use some privacy.

As soon as everyone had settled, Arnav slipped out of his jacket and hung it on his arm. And then began to send out some last minute instructions to Aman, when he felt Khushi's hand on his lap, under his jacket.

"I thought *yeh-sab* allowed nahi hain." He teased her, whispering into her ears.

She looked at him sharply and withdrew her hand. Her face was tired, weighed down by her fears. She badly needed someone to lean on to, to talk to. A friend!

In a few minutes, he pulled her hand back on his lap, extending a small smile towards her. But her worried look changed the course of his thoughts. She was silent for a considerable time. But was constantly squeezing and unsqueezing his lap. A visible indication that she was tensed.

"Talk to me Khushi. Its me, your Arnav. He held her hand. Talk to me... like a friend, only a friend."

How does he always manage to read her thoughts? She wondered. But she said nothing out loud. Instead held on to his hand. And her hold tightened as they approached the destination.

The captain announced that they should buckle up and get prepared for landing. And Khushi had to get the pounding thoughts out of her head, before it exploded -

"Arnavji, I am really not sure how Amma has changed her mind all of a sudden. She spoke softly, only for Arnav's ears. May be Kaka was only being hopeful. If Amma says anything untoward will you take the family away? I don't want them to feel insulted even for a tad bit."

"Khushi, again..."

"Sshhh. Let me finish Arnavji. You should know, that if Amma says a no, then this might as well be our last conversation. I don't even know if we will see each other."

"Tch, will you stop building up negative scenario in your mind. If she says no, then I will try another way to get her to agree."

"But I will not be able to take a step forward if she is unhappy." Khushi had to be honest with him. He should not be left hanging with false hopes. She had already been unfair to him by not being open about it in the first place. She had gotten too close, emotionally, physically. She had no right over him what so ever. Then with what right could she use him for alleviating her own desires or worries.

"Ok, fine... fine." She heard him close the topic with a finality. "Instead of building up stories in our heads, can we just wait for facts?"

She nodded. And asked him after a pause. "And you will promise to go on with your life happily?"

Arnav looked on at her. Had she gone mad? She was killing herself with bad thoughts again. Arnav was breathing hard, partly worried and part because he was getting angry.

"You will not feel hurt?" She put her hand on his heart, forgetting where they were. And Aakash turned to his sides, facing the aisle, practically creating a wall between them and the crowd on the other side. Her finger tips brushed on Arnav's skin open at the collar. Dazed, she blankly looked at his heart. Arnav saw tears form and fill her eyes, her eyebrows peaked in sorrow, while her one had held his hand tightly and the other tried to stay close to his heart.

What was he supposed to do with this girl? A girl who had fought so hard to make his revenge a reality. Who had stood tall and strong to vanquish his enemy without letting a single harm his way. She had offered the revenge on a platter to him. But when it came to her own happiness, she was putting its onus in the hands of another altogether. What was he supposed to do with this girl?

"Bas!! Enough!!" He whispered loudly. Aakash heard it too. Were they fighting already?

Khushi withdrew, mentally. Arnavji was pissed with her. May be she should stop bothering him with her feelings. He doesn't need this - Her insecurities, her worries. And moreover, he says he loves her. What more could she ask from Devi Maiyya? She has to make do with whatever he has to offer her in this relationship. She should not bother him with her thoughts and problems. She leaned back in her seat and looked out the window.

Arnav closed his eyes in frustration. She had withdrawn from him. But surely she will come around once her mother agrees to the proposal. He can then make her see how she had been hurting herself unnecessarily.

All through the taxi ride to her house, he held her hand. Covering their hands with her dupatta. She tried to withdraw, but he did not let go. And finally when she saw her Amma get down the auto rickshaw, she slid behind him. And with one hand she crushed and held his shirt tightly on the back, hiding its view from the rest of them. Arnav heard her breathe hard, clear that she was tensed beyond her limits to withstand. And he knew had to hold it together, for both of them. He held her other hand and hid their entwined hands behind his back. Khushi's dupatta slid across her front, screening their intimate support from the world.

Khushi saw her mother exchange Namaste's with Arnav's elders. Her heart was in her mouth. Worried that her mother might insult anyone at any moment now. Finally, her mother approached her. Arnav and Khushi let go of each other very reluctantly.

Khushi saw her mother come towards her. But there was a vast change in her demeanour. Her steps were slow and calm. Her eyes were... different.

Minding the people and the circumstance around her, Garima caressed her child silently, running her palms in a full circle, from forehead to her chin. Her eyes teared up. "Khoosi, meri bachchi." She hugged her daughter. "Mujhe maaf karde meri bachchi." She whispered. Only Khushi and Arnav heard it, both equally confused.

She then moved on to Arnav. Caressing him as well, she asked him softly. "Bitwa, Will you be able to forgive me for my cruel words spoken earlier?"

Arnav and Khushi snapped a look at each other. Did this mean... did her Amma accept him?

Garima looked at Khushi, smiling an affirmative.

"Amma!!" Khushi dashed and hugged her mother. And she wept... her damn of patience and waiting breaking down.

And Arnav was relieved. Hell, this wait had been worst of all. What with all the suspense and tension that Khushi had created around it. But her smile of content and gratitude were worth it. He smiled a genuine smile.

Maami's heart was enveloped in a warmth she couldn't explain. Finally a smile on her son's face, a smile which reached his eyes. And all because of this girl. She couldn't be more grateful to Devi Maiyya for having brought this girl into their lives.

One step into the house, and Maami was able to gauge her to-be-daughter-in-law's erstwhile life. Very similar to her own upbringing.

Garima called Kaka inside the kitchen. They didn't have anything to entertain 7 people. And in walked Maami, pulling Garima out.

"Garimaji, we have all our lives to drink and eat. But today, none of that will satiate us. We are all eagerly waiting to hear your approval. Will you please accept my son as your Damaad?" Maami made a dramatical request.

"Bilkul Manoramaji Garima" smiled. "Infact after seeing you all together, I am thanking my Devi Maiyya time and again. My Khushi has finally found a family she deserves."

The elders smiled. Arnav and Khushi smiled with only their eyes, stealing glances at each other. Chutki held her Jiji's arm and squealed. And Aakash... he had never seen someone so full of life.

Maami hugged her to-be-samdhan. Garima felt sheepish, to stand beside such a well dressed lady. But Maami showed no signs of discomfort.

Maami sent her husband and her mother-in-law to a hotel, asking them to return by lunch. Kaka escorted them in taxi. She saw Payal stepping out, after talking to her mother. And Maami asked Aakash to accompany the young girl, giving private instruction that he should pay for whatever the young girl buys.

Kaka had asked Khushi to keep his luggage in his house. And Arnav grabbed the opportunity to be with her.

"So?" Arnav slyly closed the door behind him. Khushi observed that he did not latch it.

"So?" She asked him back, controlling her smile.

"Kya ab yeh-sab allowed hain?" Something shifted in his eyes, and Khushi fidgeted. He started to step towards her and she stepped back, until she hit the wall.

He leaned towards her, wanting to cherish this big milestone. But her hand pressed hard against his chest, and her eyebrows peaked in worry again. One look at her, Arnav realised she didn't want him to be close to her. Why? It pricked his heart again.

Arnav had realised very early in life that you need to read a person's mind and know their real thoughts. That made life a whole lot easier. Because when you know' for sure what the other person wants and what you want, then you can work around it. But if you keep masking the truth with your own wishful thinking, then you get no where.

But in Khushi's case, he chose to be optimistic. He kept up the positivity for both of them. May be all this was too quick for her. May be he should be more patient. But she's been with me long enough to know how fast I act on my decisions. In all these arguments with self, the moment was lost. And he withdrew. Pursing his lips, feeling awkward. With nothing to say, he went outside.

Khushi stood there. Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding. That's it, she was sure. He would have gone back to call off the proposal. She anxiously stepped inside her house, slowly trying to read the situation. Maami and Amma were deep in a conversation. Chutki and Aakashji were bickering in hushed tones. And Arnavji himself was on the phone, outside in the yard. With a thudding heart she waited for his call to get over. He kept looking at her intermittently.

Once he was done, she walked up to him. And asked him softly "Arnavji, are we ok?"

Arnav frowned for a question which came out of the blue. "Of course." He replied as a matter of factly.

She relaxed visibly and turned to go inside the house. Arnav held her back. "And why did you think we are not ok?" He asked out of curiosity.

"Woh...inside...there," she pointed towards Kaka's house. "I made you angry." She pointed out timidly.

She was interrupted when a taxi stopped near the gate. She saw Kaka get out of the taxi, but missed the tightening of Arnav's jawline.

She joined Kaka and walked with him inside the house leaving an apprehensive Arnav behind.

And a few minutes later, she pulled Aakash out and shoved something into his hands. Aakash tried his best to return it, but she reprimanded him with wide eyes and went inside the house. Aakash silently stashed the currency notes into his wallet.

This was all wrong... all so wrong screamed a voice from within. And this time Arnav didn't even try to silence it.

***

ONE MONTH SINCE THEN

Khushi had been back in two weeks. Payal had called Arnav and told him that Jiji had been feeling miserable. She cried when she was alone and through out the night. And Arnav had to spare the torture. No not for Khushi, but for Payal. Because, she was no longer able to bear the agony of the Judai between her Jiji and Jijaji. She had told so dramatically that Arnav had laughed and chuckled in the middle of a serious merger meeting.

And it made sense as well. Maami had taken the initiative and suggested to hold the wedding along with Anjali's. And It was due in a week's time (over all 5 weeks since Khushi's Amma had said a yes). And Khushi and Anjali had to finish the shopping too. Anjali was still searching for her bridal wear. And she needed her dear friend to suggest the best.

So, for the past two weeks he saw the two brides-to-be only at breakfast. They were gone shopping all day. And on some nights he had managed to pull her out for a rendezvous in the stairway.

It was only a week before the wedding. The house was stuffed with the wedding shopping and gifts for the guests. He didn't know they had so many relatives and friends. Where were all these people when they were struggling?

It was a Saturday afternoon, he stay put at home. They were supposed to go for the shopping for his Sherwani. Anjali had insisted. But since she had a parlour appointment herself, Khushi and he had decided to go in the evening.

He casually stepped out of the house and strolled along the front balcony. To his surprise, he saw Khushi walk towards the building. Wasn't she with Di? She turned towards someone. It was Munna. Munna?!! Hmm, he didn't know that Munna was helping her out. In the process of collecting a cover from him, she dropped something on the floor. Neither realised it. And Arnav ran down. She had already taken the lift up. He went down and picked up the thing. It was a book. As he walked back to the lift, he casually opened it.

It had her impeccable handwriting. He went on to read the contents.

Budget, Actuals, Variance. Seemed like her study work book for Management. But then the words further below did not match his thoughts. He read - Clothes, Maamaji, Maamiji and others; Watch; Gold Chain; Train ticket cost...

It was her wedding budget!

The lift binged and opened the door, but he did not enter. Instead he stepped aside to read on. Things like mobile phone, her watch, her bag, her travel case, her jewellery box were all stricken off. His Sherwani was originally given a budget of 20000. But was stricken off and a new number of 75000 was put across it. Her Lehenga and jewellery were reduced to 5000/-. 5000/-?

The overall budget was re-written as 2.5 lakhs. And a deficit of 1 lakh was underlined several times over with a big question mark beside it.

Arnav shut the book. And a bunch of bills fell out of it. Bus tickets, STD booth bills. And one pink slip caught his attention. It was from a jeweller. For the sale of a pair of gold bangles and payal. When she had come back from her mother's house, he had seen it on her hands. It were her Amma's, she had told him. And today she had sold them?!

He hung his head down, leaning on to a wall behind. He looked at the floor grimly. So this is what it had come down to. His marriage had become pitiful and pathetic even before it had started in the true sense.

He knew she had been treading on this path. He had known it since that day. The day when her mother had said yes. Before they all left, she had called Aakash aside and given him the money he had spent in buying some groceries and snacks earlier that day.

He should have bombarded her then. But he had brushed all these signs aside. Hoping she would warm up to the idea of their wedding over time. But he couldn't hold back any longer. He would not go down without a fight!!

TEASER: Do you think we will have a marriage Khushi?

A/n: Some of you may ask me, why this all of a sudden, when every thing was going smooth and cozy?

For me, confessing that you like a person is only the beginning. And then starts the tedious process of weaving the two worlds together. The target should eventually be that both of them, individually and collectively as a couple, are finally on the same page. But all that is light years away. Right now, Arnav and Khushi's love has sprung out of their hearts and facing the real world. Will it remain the same, or will it take a blow? We need to see that...

Open channels of communication - is an ideology we hear quite often. But how many people realise that the onus is not only on the person who needs to open up, but is also on the person who is supposed to receive the message. Arnav has made a grand proclamation that in a marriage, the couple are equals. But the question remains, does he really mean it?

Leaving you with these thoughts.

Please do leave your COMMENTS or hit the LIKE BUTTON. Really encourages me a lot.

And thankyou thankyou thankyou so much for being with the story.

Lots and lots of love and take very good care of yourself

-Suri

Fantastic Update 😛😛

Its better Arnav take a class with Khushi...but Khushi really should admire her self respect

very good update..well written..👏