Arshi SS: Lonely last Part up 3.6.17 - Page 12

Part 2

Arnavji is back from office. As promised he returned in an hour. I am ready to go to the hospital. I march downstairs as I get a message from my hubby. He is in the car. I pick my wallet and the mobile, my new friends since a month.

I stop when Mrs. Raizada appears or rather jumps in front of me from nowhere. Its her usual hello hi bye bye style, she has her hands up. Sometimes I wonder if she was a monkey in her previous birth! Yeah, I know it would be an insult for monkeys. I fold my arms.

Mami: Hello hi bye bye, phati Saree, seeing you after a long time.

She says in a mocking tone. I try to move forward since she is just wasting my time. She blocks me again with her hands. I roll my eyes.

Mami: Listenwa..now however you r going out, get these things while you return.

She places a list on my hand. She tries to go, now I pull her back and give that list back to her.

" I guess you have your own daughter in law to do this work. I am not your servant, get that in your small brain"

I tell her looking sternly into her eyes. I know she didn't expect this. Anyways this isn't new for me.

Treat me worse than a dog and expect me to work for you?

Ridiculous isn't it?

"Hello hi.." I ignore her. I walk straight towards the door, n she says, "you used to do all these before, why not now?"

I reply, "Because that time I was the bahu of this house, but right now I am just Khushi"

I closed the door angrily, not bothering to listen to her reply.

********
I know he is looking at me, I try to avoid meeting his eyes. I look out of the window. He concentrates back on the road.

How irony! I wanted this attention from him before but then he wasn't there for me. Right now he pays so much of extra attention to me even if I don't want.

"Are you fine Khushi?"

I sigh. He has been asking this question to me since a week. Well, I am actually not fine. How can he expect me to be fine after what happened in the previous days?

"Hmm" I reply, uninterested.

"I know you are hurt. The family has not let you live in peace." He opens his mouth to say further, I stop him.

"Could you please stop talking about your family? I am fed up." I know I am rude, but this should shut him. His family reminds me of all those past, those bitter memories!!!

"I am sorry" he replies.

I wish sorry could make things alright, I whisper.

*************
I am done speaking with my doctor. She has prescribed me some medicines. I feel a bit relaxed after speaking to her. She is 2 years elder than me. Her name is Naina Batra (Drashti Dhami). She is like a sister to me, rather than my doctor. She gives me a smile. I usually call her by her name than calling her "doctor".

"There is an improvement in your health Khushi. Good. I hope you are doing well in home."

Is that place even a home? I wonder.

I nod.

"Thank you Naina" I say. She places her palm on mine.

"Do not hesitate to call me if there is any problem. Okay? Remember that I am always there to help you"

I am overwhelmed. I wish she was my sister. She being an outsider has shown so much of concern for me. I nod my head.

"Khushi I would like to speak to Mr.Raizada"

"Yeah I will call him"

He is waiting outside. I know Naina wants to speak about my health with him personally. I send him in and wait outside. I know Naina hasn't told me my weaknesses. She usually tells me only the improvement in my health and shares my weakness with my husband. After all he is the only person who is close to me now.

I sigh. What kind of closeness is this? I craved for his love then, I wanted him to trust me then, I wanted him to look at my sorrows then, I wanted him to be my husband then but I was nothing but the BIGGEST mistake of his life!!! I was nothing. Bound with a contract, I had to stay with him for six months bearing the hatred.

He says he loves me. If he would, then why would he tag me as the "biggest mistake" of his life? He indeed proved me that he is the best brother in this world, but not the best husband! Forget best, he wasn't worth a 'husband'.

He is kinda pouring a lot of love towards me nowadays. But I really don't care, because right now I have gained some self confidence in me, I have learnt to live without anyone's support. I cannot forget the pain he has given me. I need to show him that I should not be taken for 'granted'. Its my turn now to be selfish and think about my self respect.

He is out. Naina comes towards me and tells me to take care. I bid a bye to her. We leave.

**********
My stomach is paining since last half an hour. I don't know why, but the pain is quite uncontrollable. I ask him to stop the car. Once I m out, I throw up.

He gets down, worried. I feel better after throwing up. He gives me a bottle of water. I drink it.

"You OK?" I nod my head.

"Why did you throw up? What's wrong with your health?" He asks me with concern.

"I guess because of the breakfast" I reply.

"But nothing happened to me" he says suspiciously.

"I ate yesterday's food. I didn't know it would upset my stomach" I reply with no strength.

He frowns.

"I had been to the kitchen to fetch my breakfast, but there was nothing. I got to know from Mrs.Payal Raizada that she forgot to cook lunch for her husband n she packed the breakfast which was made for me. She suggested me to cook something for myself, but your sister entered the hall n I was pushed out of the kitchen with a plate of yesterday's food.I was hungry n I ate it. Neither your family let's me eat proper food not they let me cook. What am I supposed to do?" I say it in a calm voice but he could feel the coldness in it.

His jaws tighten.

"From now I will take care of that Khushi. I won't let you eat stale food. " I can feel the sseriousness in his voice.

From his expressions I m sure that Mrs.Payal will have a sleepless night.

**********
We are in Agra, in front of Taj Mahal. My stomach is full, my husband has taken care of that. I wasn't expecting him to get me here. I adore the place. I have seen it many times, but everytime I see it, it looks refreshing. I smile.

He holds my hand and makes me sit on the slab. I look at him with a confused expression. I didn't expect him to be lovey dovey again.

" I am sorry, no Khushi, its not because of any guilt or pity. Its because I am really sorry, and I truly need to apologize to you, for whatever has been happening in the house. I could have stopped Nani when she said you to stay away from Di. I could have explained Di that its not your fault. I could have just made things alright then you didn't have to suffer so much. I really mean these words. I m sorry for blaming u that night when Di tried to...Situation forced me.I didn't want to hurt you but I did.but after that you misunderstood me..no.I don't blame you for that, because if I was in your place even I would have done that. I am extremely sorry"

I m expressionless. Yes his words touched my heart but its not so easy.

"Its not the situation that forced you to blame me. Its the person who matters. If your sister would have been in my place that day then you wouldn't have dared to say anything that you told me. If it was anyone from your family, you wouldn't say anything. If I was in your sister's place you would have tried explaining me that your sister isn't at fault. Don't deny this please, because if you do, then it would be the biggest lie." I say calmly.

He is speechless. He side hugs me. I don't resist.

"I won't deny that I took you for granted, but I realized my mistake. I am sorry"

"I need time, a lot of time, to digest the facts. I can't say that I will be perfectly alright with you, because you have broken me" I say softly. He tightens the hug. I feel a drop of water on my forehead. Yes he is crying.

" I m sorry" he chants.

*************

We are at the door. I see Mrs.Jha, Mrs.Manorama Raizada, and Mrs.Devyani Raizada seated in the hall.

"I am not hiding again. Its not my problem if Mrs.Jha is sitting there. Doesn't mean that I will be standing at the door until she moves to her room"

I say him clearly even before he says anything.

And Mr.Raizada don't you dare tell me to come from the back door, I think.

"I will not tell you to hide. In fact I have never asked you to hide. It was your choice.."

I cut him.

"It wasn't my choice. It was your Nani's order"

He holds my arms gently.

"Relax" he tries to calm me down. I am highly frustrated. "Shall we go in?" He asks me. I am surprised when he holds my hand and walks in front of them, especially in front of Mrs.Jha. I can see them staring at us while we climb the stairs. The older Raizada looks unhappy.

Hell!! Why am I seen as a criminal?

Too much!! Are we aliens to be stared? My husband leaves my hand when he gets a call.

"Sasuma, look how happy she is after destroying Anjali bitiya's life" I hear Mrs.Raizada. My hubby has already reached the room. I stop and look downstairs. The heart of this house is in the kitchen. Only my husband's aunt n grandma are there.

From which angle do I seem happy?

"Stop it Manorama, Khushi bitiya isn't responsible for all this" I hear Mrs.Devyani Raizada.

I wish you had understood this before. Then you would have never asked me to hide for your grand daughter or neither would you tell me to stay away from you all.

I wish you had shut her mouth then by saying this. I wish you had told his to your porcelain doll, I wish you had explained this your grandson, Mr.Akash Raizada, who turned violent from silent after knowing Shyam's truth. I wish you had told this your selfish bahu. What's the use now?

You r no better than a chameleon!!

My husband gestures me to get in. He is going out.

"Where are you going?" I ask him.

"A few people need to be reminded of their place" he says sternly. I watch him go to Mrs. Payal's room. I sigh and get inside my room, my jail.

**************

I am combing my hair, and all of a sudden I feel some pull, someone is trying to
pull me. And I enter to a different world. I am totally confused. What's happening?
Who pulled me? Where am I?

I am in RM, but why is everything the opposite way? I see Arnavji, and beside him, its ME!!! My jaw drops.
Who is this another Khushi? I turn to see the mirror. What rubbish?

I see Khushi, or my reflection who is with Arnavji.

Khushi says, "Arnavji come home soon, and don't forget we are going for a date tonight"

"I know Khushi. You need not remind me" he says angrily.

The mirror Arnav is also rude, quite weird!!

I see Arnav going out n Khushi turns towards me.
She isn't much surprised to see me.

"Who are you?" I ask her doubtfully.

" I am your reflection. I am everything which you aren't now.
Just have a look at the mirror Shantivan"
She replies.

I am taken aback. What does she mean?

She goes down.
I walk out, the whole Shantivan is in reverse direction.
I look at the people from upstairs. They are very happy.
I see Khushi going to the dining hall. Mrs. Payal is hugging her.
Khushi breaks the hug n gestures her to sit. I see Khushi serving the family.
Mrs. Devyani Raizada holds her wrist and stops her.

"Khushi bitiya, why are you standing? Its not your duty.
You should also sit n eat with us"

"Yes Khushiji. Be a good girl n take your seat" says Mrs.Jha.

" Di, Naniji, Mamiji, after what happened you all are still so kind with me.
I mean Shyamji n.." She was cut in middle.

"Its not your fault Khushiji, I was blind to not see his true colors. In fact I thank you for saving me and my raj kumari from that creep."

"Yes Khushi bitiya, it wasnt your fault. Don't blame yourself.
Let's forget the past n move on" says Mrs.Manorama Raizada.

I m taken aback again. Everything in this world seemed so perfect.
Akash Raizada also speaks well with Khushi n Payal. In fact the whole family has no issues with Khushi. My eyes well up.
Why wasn't everything so good in real world?

I see Khushi advancing towards me. She looks happy. Of course who wouldn't be happy with such a family.

"How did you feel the virtual world?"
She asks me.

"You r lucky to have such family.
Everyone is sweet here except for Arnavji. Why is he rude yet?" I ask confusedly.

She smiles. "Everything changes with time.
Here everything happens opposite to what happens in your world.
He was good to me until he was angry with you in that world, but now
he isn't angry with you n its vice versa happens here."

"Why did you bring me here?" I want to know.

"Because I wanted to show you the truth of your life.
Wasn't everything just like what I showed you no Naniji, jijaji, di, jiji behaved
the same way with you before? Caring n tender, soft n sweet,
everything was good. Mamiji is an exception. You didn't have
Arnavji on your side then, but now you have him, but not the others.
Everything has a time Khushi. Happiness isn't forever.
You lose something once, you gain something the other time.
Today you aren't that same sweet old Khushi, you have gained sarcasm,
bitterness, courage and you have started becoming selfish. But what did you lose
to gain them? Your happiness, your smiles, your family, n your self respect!!
N you know who the reason is? Its they." She points towards the family.
I stand shocked. N suddenly she pushes me and I fall somewhere. It's too dark here. I am scared, yet i make an attempt to move. Somebody is laughing.
Its not someone, there are many. I am shocked when I see the mirror
Khushi (happy and cheerful one) sitting on the edge of the room and crying.
The Raizadas are laughing at her and they are moving towards her.
The sounds of their laughter increases, with their increase in steps.

"Save me" she screams.

I get up suddenly. I am sweating like hell. Was that a dream? Yes, it was. I am panting heavily. I see Arnavji getting up suddenly. Since he was hugging me, he might have got up when I woke up suddenly.

"What happened Khushi? R u alright?" He asks me with concern. I am breathing heavily. I am glad it was a dream.

"Did you see a bad dream?" He asks me while caressing my hair.

"Don't ever laugh at my condition" I say softly. I know it was a dream, but still I can never tolerate if he laughs at my present situation.

He looks at me worriedly. "Why would I laugh at your condition?" I meet his eyes. I know he can see my fright. I dont know why, but I place my head on his chest. I am too scared to realize anything. He hugs me.

"I guess it was a bad dream. You have to inform Dr.Batra tomorrow. Now don't worry, I am here. Nothing has happened" he assures me while caressing my hair.

Hello gals. The italics one was dream.

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Katty