Love, am I not worth it ?
Chapter 9
Few days later, Khushi had come to Aashiyaana to discuss about a case of an inmate with the legal team. Even though she had left law, sometimes she give suggestions to the lawyers in some difficult cases. Her way of solving the cases were always unique and effective.
While discussing the matter, she saw a commotion outside. Coming out she saw a woman wailing out. Some nurses and Bhindra, the in charge of the abused women in aashiyaana, were trying to calm her down. The woman was trying to run away and they were trying to calm her down.
Reaching them and enquiring about the matter Khushi came to know that she was one of the who was domestically abused by her husband and in-laws. She ran away from her house when they tried to kill her unborn baby. The police found her and brought her there. But now, unfortunately, due to stress and physical and mental exhaustion she lost her child which had impacted her badly and she is in shock.
"Leave me, I want to go. My baby will be alone there. I have to go to him. I know you all are with my husband. He only took my baby. I have to go otherwise he will kill my baby. Leave me." The loud wailings of the woman reached her ears.
She felt sympathy towards the woman. Everyday they see cases like this here. Some are so heart wrenching that they can't help but feel a pain deep inside. Why world is so cruel. Can't they understand the pain of a fellow being.
Why they treat women as garbage. Why do they don't they think that the same women had given birth to them.
Taking a deep breath Khushi approached the woman. Breaking free the tight hold around her she pulled her in to warm hug. She silently signalled the others to leave that she will handle the matter. Nodding they all left them alone.
Feeling a warm and comforting hug, the woman calmed down a bit. Lifting her eyes, she looked deep into Khushi's eyes. The love, care, concern and the deep emotions she saw there made her trust her.
Seeing her calming down, Khushi pulled her under one of the trees. Sitting in the platform situated there she signalled the woman to sit beside her who obliged silently.
Looking around where the children are playing, Khushi asked gently,"What is your name".
"Latha" She answered meekly.
Smiling she said, "My name is Khushi. Here everybody calls me Anu. You can call me whatever you wish. This is my aashiyaana. My little cocoon of love". Seeing her listening, she asked,"Can you seen these children ".
Confused Latha nodded her head.
Giving her warm smile and then turning serious, Khushi continued," They don't have parents. Some haven't even seen them. Others were abandoned or some lost their parents in some misfortune. But here they don't feel that pain. Do you know why."
Seeing her nodding her head in a no, Khushi continued, " Because this is their home. Here they have their family. They have all the relations they missed in their life. From grandparents to mother, father, brother sister their Evey relation is here. I know you have lost your child and nothing can replace it".
Seeing her weeping, she said, "But why don't you think that he is at a better place. He is at God's place where he will be leaving among angels who will take care of him. My Ajooba says that those who leave this world becomes stars. May be your baby would also have become a star and would be looking at you. But if you will cry like this won't he feel bad".
Getting up she started walking while Latha silently followed her. Going into the young toddler's wing she stopped. Latha amazingly looked around the little ones moving around. After coming there she was always scared of the things that happened in her life that she seldom comes out of her room.
But now seeing the innocent faces of the little ones, her face lit up. Looking around her eyes started sparkling seeing their cute antics. Seeing her Khushi knew that she did the right thing, " They don't have mother. They need their mother. Will you be their mother. When your baby will look upon you he will be happy seeing you with his brothers and sisters. ".
Latha looked at her with unshed tears. Crying she ran away from there. Khushi followed her outside and saw her sitting under the tree. Seeing Khushi, she immediately threw herself in her arms. Hugging her tightly, she kept her head on her shoulder crying her heart out. Khushi allowed her to cry her pain out.
After sometime she calmed down a bit. Pulling out of the hug, she answered, " Yes, yes I will be their mother. They are my children. I am their mother."
Willing her cheeks, she gave a teary smile and went inside to the toddler's wing. Khushi stood there looking her taking the little ones in her motherly hug. Her mind went back to another memory.
Flashback
Almost two months have passed after her marriage. She was very happy with Arnav. Even though the family members doesn't mingle with her much, all thanks to her sister and Sheetal who constantly visits as if she don't have any other work, she was happy.
Their relation was progressing slowly. She realized that she had hopelessly fallen in love with her husband. She knew that he also loved her. Even though they haven't confessed it openly, it was evident in their actions. Their relation was a silent one. Both didn't talk much. But it was its beauty. They showed their feelings through actions.
Apart from Sheetal's time to time antics to gain attention and make them apart, everything was going smooth.
There was a party that day on the honor of Arnav winning the best businessman of the year award. Khushi was getting ready in her room. She wasn't feeling well for few days. But today in her over excitation for her husband's achievement she was in a good mood and was getting ready to go to the party.
Arnav was waiting for her downstairs. Everyone had already left. They decided to go a little late. Getting ready quickly, Khushi came down. Seeing her, Arnav was mesmerized. Clad in a beautiful pink evening gown she was looking beautiful.
Making sure that nobody is watching them, Arnav quickly reached and pulled her towards himself. She came crashing to his chest.
Khushi's gown
http://www.promtrendshop.com/images/Long%20Hot%20Pink%20Chiffon%20Sheer%20Beaded%20Illusion%20Neck%20Evening%20Gown.jpg
He came closer to her and lightly pecked her forehead. Coming closer to her ears he whispered, "Beautiful. Come, let's go otherwise don't blame me if we don't reach there on time rather reach at all."
Hearing his bold words her eyes widened. Her cheeks turned red. She lightly smacked his arms.
Their trance was broken by the loud ringing of his mobile. He took it and checked. Seeing the caller id, his expression changed. Cutting the call he pocketed it.
From the corner of her eyes, Khushi saw Sheetal's name flashing. When he cut the call, she lightly smiled at him. Keeping his hands on her waist he led her out. Soon they were on their way to the venue.
**************
The party was on its full swing. When they arrived, all the gazes suddenly fixed on them. Seeing the beautiful couple. Nobody could help but admire the made in heaven Jodi.
Men were looking at Khushi with admiration thinking about Arnav's luck. While ladies fumed seeing their men looking at her. Also for getting such a big catch like ASR. Nevertheless nobody couldn't deny that they were such an amazing couple.
After finishing the cut cutting ceremony and thanking everyone for their love and support, Arnav led Khushi to meet the guests. He introduced her to his business circle and other friends.
Even the employees of DREAMZ were invited. Sheetal stood sulking at a corner seeing Arnav and Khushi together. From the time he has entered the party he has entered the party he has been royally ignoring her.
Usually in such parties she would always clung on to him. But today he had need keeping Khushi with him all the time. When she tried to greet him he walked past her. Moreover she saw some of her juniors in DREAMZ saying how both of them are looking beautiful together. How she had lost her chance to Khushi.
When she saw Arnav asking Khushi for a dance her anger raised. In their four years of (forced) relationship he had never asked her for a dance. When she tried to initiate it he always escaped saying that he don't know how to dance. But now seeing him dance with Khushi so intimately on a romantic number she fumed inside.
After the dance both Arnav and Khushi came down. She was still blushing thinking how he held her so close while dancing. She had always been a good dancer. But she never danced with men. The only man she had ever danced with was Jules. But it was never like this. That used to be friendly and moreover Jules was her brother.
But now dancing with him she felt butterflies in her stomach. Smiling she met the rest of the guests with him.
When Khushi asked the waiter for fruit juice, Sheetal got her opportunity. She immediately added some vodka in the fruit juice and asked the waiter to serve her giving him thousand rupees.
Unknown to the trap laid by Sheetal, Khushi drank the fruit juice. For Khushi it was first time she was having alcohol. Even after coming from a very high class family she was never into alcohol or any hot drinks. In her family nobody drinks. Her father and grandfather who drinks in business parties also would only take one or two shots for pleasing the clients otherwise nobody drinks in her family.
Her sister's case was different. She was a complete alcoholic. She drinks very often and very high. Khushi sometimes wonder how even after drinking so much her sister doesn't get caught. Then there is no answer for that. Her family doesn't know anything about the true colors of their daughter. She always escapes one way or another.
After drinking the alcohol for the first time, her condition started deteriorating. Seeing her, Arnav got worried. He was furious at the person who had dared to play such a sick prank on his innocent wife.
If Sheetal thought that after drinking alcohol Khushi would make a scene and embarrass Arnav then she was surely disappointed. Even before Khushi could react due to the alcohol in her system, Arnav took her away. He came back home immediately with Khushi and made her sleep.
Next morning, Khushi woke up with severe headache. But more than headache her stomach was paining more. Looking around she realized that she was bleeding. She immediately got out of bed and rushed to washroom.
Freshening up she came back and changed the mattress in which blood was there. From HP who came to give her lemon juice as instructed by Arnav informed her that he had already gone to office because of an early morning meeting.
Drinking the lemon juice, her headache subsided. But the stomach was unbearable. She decided to take rest for the day and called Neha to inform the same. She had her lunch and evening tea in room itself. She expected the pain to lessen by evening but it increased.
It continued for next two days. Arnav was very worried for her. He tried every possible way to lessen the pain. But nothing worked. Finally on third day, he put down his gourds and asked her to visit a doctor. He wanted to accompany her. But since he had an important meeting she asked him to go to office and that she would go with her friend. After lot of argument he obliged and asked her to take care and also to call him after meeting the Doctor.
Together with Neha, she went to hospital. The doctor was well known to her. She immediately checked her and admitted her. What the doctor said made the earth to slip beneath her legs.
"Khushi, you were pregnant. But you had a miscarriage. You told me that you had accidentally drank alcohol. Well, it didn't go down well with your system and triggered abortion. You're really young. On examination, I came to know that you're very weak also. So when you had alcohol, your body couldn't take it and caused miscarriage." Sarthika, the doctor said.
On seeing her unresponsive, the doctor said, " Look Khushi, I know you must be feeling awful but we have to accept the truth. Please try to be strong. You are a brave girl. You are a person who see such things daily. I know my words won't bring back your loss but please try to accept the truth and move on".
"I am prescribing you some medicines. You have to take it correctly. Otherwise, you are healthy. You will have babies in future. You are young. There is plenty of time to have kids. But for that you should be physically and mentally healthy. You should take care of your health from now on. I hope I will see you in near future with a good news." Knowing Khushi on a personal basis and also knowing about her involvement in Aashiyaana, Sarthika tried to console her.
Hearing the doctor Khushi felt her heart breaking. She lost her child. Her first child. The first symbol of her and Arnav's love. She couldn't feel anything. Her whole body went numd. She didn't know how to react.
Why? Why did it happen with her? True she see such things daily but will it lessen her pain. How was she supposed to cope up with her loss. Her baby left even before she could rejoice on the news of his/her arrival. Seeing her not moving, Neha came to her and took her in a hug. Seeing her she cried her heart out. Her heart couldn't take the pain.
On knowing about the matter Jules also came to hospital. They both took her to Neha's apartment. They both sat with her trying to console her. When she calmed down a bit, she decided to go home.
Neha and Jules dropped her home on understanding that she is in no state to go home alone. Reaching home, she came to know that everyone is in their rooms taking rest after lunch in the afternoon.
Since she was already fed lunch forcefully by Neha and Jules, she decided to go to her room. While passing in front of her sisters room, she heard sound if laughter from her sister's room. But what caught her attention was her name being taken in their conversation.
"Do you know Shreya how I felt when I saw that Khushi dancing with ASR on the success party.That ASR he ... He was dancing with that bi**h. From the past four years I am spending my time trying to impress him but he never gave any attention. Forget about dancing he has no even touched me. Always I have to go behind. But that he was dancing with her." Sheetal said angrily.
"Hey why are you sounding like you are jealous. It is not like you harbor any feelings for him. He is just a ticket for fame and luxury for you, right". Shreya asked smirking.
" Jealous, my foot. Why would I be jealous of that stupid. She is not even a full grown women. A mere teenager. She is no match for me. Have you seen, how lean and fragile she is. It is as if a light breeze will come and she will fly away. She is no competition for me." Sheetal said with a mocking smile.
"Then, why are you so annoyed."
"Oh please. I am not annoyed with her closeness with ASR. She can do whatever she wished to do with him. I don't care. But the problem is now ASR. He is slipping away from my hands. I can't afford it. In office also nobody is giving me any heed after coming to know about his marriage. Now that is my problem. The staff who used to fear from me is now laughing behind my back". She said fuming.
" So what are you going to do now." Shreya asked thinking.
"Not going to do. I have already done." She said dangerously.
"What have you done" She asked confused.
"Didn't I tell you about how I mixed alcohol in Khushi's drink in success party."
"So what you only said Arnav took her away before she could make a scene. Then what is the use."
"Dumbo, do you think I just mixed alcohol so that she could make a scene there. Do you I would take such a big risk just for that. Knowing if ASR finds out he will not leave me alive when nowadays he is behaving like love sick puppy. Nah."
"Then" Suddenly getting interested.
"Do you remember, a few days back ASR insisted that everybody should get a routine checkup done".
" Yah, but what do that has anything to do with all these."
"Well do you know what happened, after two of the checkup, the doctor called ASR. Luckily She had called in the office landline and ASR had gone out for a meeting so I picked up the phone as I was there at that time for some work. Do you know what she said".
" What"
"Actually she wanted to talk to ASR about Khushi's health. Then I said that I am like a family so agreed to tell me."
"Khushi's health. Now what happened to her."
"She was pregnant".
" What".
"Yes, she was four weeks pregnant then and doctor wanted to talk to ASR about it. She said that Khushi is very weak and if proper care is not taken then miscarriage could happen. She asked me to tell ASR to call her back."
"What? Is it true. I mean Khushi is pregnant."
"Not is dear was. So that only I mixed alcohol in her drink. If she would drink it then she would surely loose her child. Why do you think she is having stomach pain for 2-3 days. It is because of that. By now she must have already already lost her child and would crying somewhere."
"Wow, you did a great job." Saying this both laughed out loud.
Outside Khushi felt her head reeling. It was all a plan. It was all Sheetal's plan to kill her child. And she as a fool fell in her trap. She failed to safeguard her child.She failed to protect the little life which was breathing inside her. She failed as a mother.
She knew that both of them were devils but she never thought them to kill her child. Then she shouldn't be surprised by their doings. Women who didn't even hesitate before killing their own child, why would they feel bad before killing her child. She doesn't know how many abortions Sheetal and Shreya had done. It had reached such an extend that they can't even conceive a child anymore.
Reaching her room, she fell down on the floor. She don't know for how long she sat on the floor staring at nothing in particular.
Evening, Arnav came back home. Hearing knock on the door Khushi came to reality. Wiping her tears Khushi opened the door. Seeing Arnav she didn't know what to do. How will she say the truth to Arnav.
Few days back only he won the prize. Everyone is very happy about it. By knowing this all their happiness will turn into sadness. Even if she say about it what is the use. Her child won't come back. Also she can't say Sheetal's truth.
If she say Sheetal's truth she don't know what will happen. Will they believe her. Arnav and his family thinks that Sheetal is an innocent girl. Moreover they know Sheetal more than her. Sheetal is Anjali's best friend and Arnav's friend Mahesh's sister. Raizada and Kapoor family are family friends for ages. Why would they believe her over Sheetal.
Also she don't have any proof that Sheetal did this. Sure she has proofs against Sheetal's other wrong doings but if she uses it then her sister will also be exposed which she can't afford. She felt helpless she couldn't bring justice for her unborn. She wish she could do something.
Seeing her lost Arnav slightly shook her. Taking her in his arms and cupping her face, he asked gently, "How are you? Did you go to doctor. What did she say? Are you alright?"
Seeing his concern she felt better," Yes. I went to doctor. She said that I am fine now. But little weak. Had prescribed some medicines. If I take it correctly I will be fine." She said half truth.
"Good, now be a good girl and take care of your health. Also take food and medicines correctly."
Nodding her head she smiled lightly. Pecking her forehead he went to freshen up.
**************
After dinner, she was standing in poolside looking for the bright star in the north. Beside the bright star today she saw another small star. Her eyes turned moist. Her baby. The two stars twinkled at her. She knew her baby might be with her tai. Her tai will take good care of him. And when the right time will come he will come back to her.
Arnav came and hugged her from back. Turning around she threw herself in his arms. She cried in his arms. She needed it. She needed his comfort. She wanted to hide in his strong protective arms.
Seeing her crying he got worried. "Are you alright. Is it paining again." Nodding her head, she hugged him tightly. Indeed her heart was paining.
Leading her slowly to bed, he laid her down. Lying beside her he took her in his arms trying to sooth her. Saying about different things he tried to distract her. After sometime, due to physical and mental exhaustion she dozed off in his comforting arms. Kissing her on the temple he too closed his eyes allowing the sleep to take over him.
Flashback ends.
The slight pull in her mangalsutra brought her back from her thoughts. She was sitting in Pari's paradise with Ponies seated around her. They were trying to do different antics to bring their zoned out mother back to earth.
Seeing them her eyes welled up. Taking three of them in her lap she hugged them close to her. Indeed her baby came back to her not alone but as three. That time she couldn't protect him, but now she will go to any extend to protect them.
So that is about this chapter. It is a very long chapter. I have given you answer for the why part. Why Khushi hid about her babies. But more details will come in later chapters.
One more thing I want to clear. Sheetal doesn't live in Shantivan (Raizada mansion). I know from the starting there is an impression that Sheetal is living in Shantivan but it is not the case. Sheetal lives in her home but she comes to Raizada mansion everyday to see Anjali, Shreya and of course Arnav. She is so clinky that she comes there early in the morning. So whenever Khushi comes down in the morning she see Sheetal.
And pls pls pls comment on this part it is a very crucial part in the story. So I want comments. Then only I will know how the story is progressing. So pls comment. This is a request.
Edited by rupakukku - 8 years ago
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