Chapter 9 [2056]
"I'll be back soon Khushi," Arnav told her, and Khushi was looking at him so longingly and he had no heart to leave her.
"Okay,"
"Khushi? I'll be back in a week. We can talk over the phone," he told her and she chuckled making him smile.
"We seem like a married couple. Don't we?" he asked fondly and she giggled agreeing with him.
"Well, have fun, okay? Anyways you have your Anjali now," he teased her and she hit him on his bicep.
"Shut up," she chided him. Whenever he asked her to hang out, she had some plans with Anjali and every now and then, he teased her.
"Okay, now smile and just have fun, bye," he told her as he hugged her close and she tightened her hold.
Arnav was going on a week's trip to Mumbai and she already missed him. They did pass the stage of friends. Didn't they? She pushed that thought aside and pulled out from the hug and smiled at her.
"You too. Have fun, alright? And eat well," she added.
"I will, bye," with that, he waved at her and bid her bye.
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"I can't. I am going out with Khushi to try that saree," she said to her husband and gained he chuckle from him.
"Anjali, you found your soulmate. Didn't you?" he teased her to which she chuckled.
"You are always my soulmate. Don't be jealous! Tut, tut," she shook her head at him in disbelief.
"Alright, I shall pick you from there then, at 8 and we shall go to the dinner."
"Okay," she nodded.
Raghbir knew his wife was quite an amicable person but the bond with Khushi, he could not describe. They became best friends forever in that short time period. In fact, he was having trouble finding his wife for dinners and stuff. So, he made reservations first and told her they were going for dinner. That way she could not deny. He chuckled and dismissed that thought and focused on his work.
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"You look amazing," Khushi told her fascinated. Anjali was trying out a designer saree and Khushi stood there giving reviews, helping her select.
"My hairband, I guess I missed it somewhere," Anjali tried to tie her long silky hair for the umpteenth time.
"Here, take this, I mean, I can tie my hair in a bun," Khushi pulled her band and handed it to her.
"Do you know Khushi? Raghbir is jealous that we are spending so much time together," Anjali told her and Khushi giggled.
"So is Arnav, Khushi told and immediately regretted when she saw the change of expression on Anjali's face. Khushi told about Arnav every now and then and Anjali never left any chance from teasing her.
"Oh, is that so?" she quipped, a smirk settling on her face.
"So, how far has this reached between you two?" Anjali asked as she looked at Khushi.
"what do you mean?" Khushi tried to act impassive.
"I mean how far have you reached in making the decision?" she asked her one more time.
"There is nothing like that, I mean I like him and all, so does he, but I don't know if it is more than friends, I mean I know he is a good friend, but I am not sure if he is ready," Khushi told this more to herself.
"Your guy shows all traits of being a good life partner and you both are crazy for each other, talk to him as soon as possible," Anjali told her quite seriously.
"Arnav is a very good guy, I hope I don't mess up, I feel so safe, content and protective with him, plus we goof around a lot," she smiled.
"I'd say don't wait, I mean you gotta do, what you gotta do, you know," Anjali told her as she went to change into her regular clothes.
"You are right, I'm gonna tell how I feel," Khushi declared making Anjali smile.
Anjali looked at the hairband that Khushi gave and her eyes lit. Well, this is the only way to know. She thought. Is that alright? She recollected the previous sentence that she told to Khushi, you gotta do, what you gotta do, you know. Indeed. She thought.
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Payal walked into the hall to hear her parents talking very seriously. She slowed her pace, not to interrupt their discussion. She didn't want to eavesdrop until she heard her father speak.
"Dear, it is better if she comes to know that she is adopted from us rather than someone, I know we decided not to tell, but there is a high chance of her knowing this from some other source. I don't want that. Do you want that? I mean god forbid if something happens to us, and she comes to know about all this some other way, no," Payal felt her throat parched and she was thunderstruck. What was her dad talking about?
Moreover, what were they talking about? Who was adopted? Was she adopted? No... She felt her head spin and caught hold off the frame as she took the support of the adjacent wall. Was she adopted? Was this the reason, her mom and dad favored Khushi more? No. This can't be.
She quickly stepped inside, her eyes almost ghastly with the information.
"We are telling her, Garima," her father spoke firmly, and she couldn't stop herself from speaking, acknowledging.
"Tell what papa?
She wanted her parents to speak, now. She decided a few hours back that Akash and she would tell her and his parents about their relationship decision. So, she mustered up all the courage in her as she walked inside.
Silence encompassed.
"Payal?" her mom was startled not realizing how to say anything at all.
"What are you guys talking about?" she asked almost in a small voice not really wanting to know the truth but at this point, it didn't matter.
"We love you, Payal," her mom came forward. She motioned her to stop and looked at her father.
"Dad? What is going on? Am I adopted?" she was almost on the verge of breaking.
His father shook his head, denying. He took a deep breathe as he walked towards her.
"It's not you," he told her, slowly, and Payal gulped down the weight she felt in her throat.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean it's not you who is adopted, Khushi is...is adopted," her father completed and Payal stood motionless. She felt like the world was spinning fast around her. Her legs felt all dizzy and so was her head.
"Payal," her mom stood by her side, holding her for support.
"Does...does Khushi know about this?" Payal asked, her eyes blurring her vision as they filled with tears.
"No," her mom spoke, as she led her to the couch.
"No, dad. We are not telling her, I won't let you tell her, she is my sister, how can you do this?" Payal broke down, she never imagined that a day like this would come.
You know. You are adopted. Mom and dad brought you from the hospital.
Khushi you don't look like you belong to our family.
No, I hate you. You are not my sister. Mom and dad only favor you.
I know what I am doing.
"Dad... I... NO," she shook her head violently. Her head filled with disgust, all the times she teased her.
"Promise me you won't tell her, she is my little sister, ma, tell papa..." Payal cried.
"Payal," her mom hugged her tight.
"Listen, we need to tell her Payal because this is important. She needs to know, we are always family,"
Shashi gulped looking at his daughter.
"Khushi met someone there, and... listen Payal, this is important, you need to be supportive," she stood up, kicked the chair, and yelled.
"NO, YOU ARE NOT TELLING HER ANYTHING... NOTHING, with that she ran to her room and shut the door enough to vibrate the whole house.
Shashi looked at Garima as they walked towards Payal's room.
Shashi knocked on the door and they both called her out.
"Listen to it, Payal, please,
"Payal?"
No response.
Shashi stopped Garima from saying anything and he spoke, "Please come out when you are calm. We are going to talk about this thing. You need to hear to the whole thing, and then you decided what needs to be done," he calmly led Garima to the couch and they sat in silence. He filled her a glass of water.
"What has happened?" she asked him silently. Shashi smiled, sadly.
"She is mature enough, she will calm down, trust me," he told her.
After ten minutes, Payal opened the door and walked towards them as she sat down on the single sofa across her parents.
"Tell me," She said, not meeting their eyes. Shashi motioned Garima to speak.
"Khushi is my sister Gargi's daughter, Garima sniffed as she cleared her throat, before continuing. Payal was shocked to know this new information. She knew she had an aunt, who died in an accident, but she was too young to even remember.
"Yes, Gargi didn't want to marry and when she was 40, she decided she wanted to have a kid, after a lot of research and checking options, she decided she would go for artificial insemination. All went well and Khushi was born," Garima gulped at the memory.
"One day, she called saying she wanted to talk to me about something important" and she was going to visit us," Garima let the tears fall. Shashi held her hand and she continued.
"While she was coming to visit us, she met with an accident,"
Payal stood silently, listening and watching her mom break down like this, for the first time. It didn't feel right.
"A few days ago, when we went to Anand Nilayam, your mom found a diary, your aunt's," Shashi told her.
Payal looked surprised.
"She mentioned that she knew the donor and there was some mistake, she was going to come to tell this, we are not sure if she knew who the donor was, but that is what she mentioned. Now, Khushi met someone named Anjali there and... and she says there are striking similarities in them,"
"WHAT?" Payal looked flabbergasted.
"And you guys think...telling Khushi will help?" she asked surprised.
"Yes, Payal! It is better if she knows this from us than others," he told her.
Payal didn't believe it would work.
"She would be very hurt. What if...what if she...she distances herself from us?" Payal asked them exasperated.
"We shall not let her know, I mean, let's bring her back home, maybe ask her not to talk to anyone," She got up and paced across the hall. No. This was a bad idea.
"What if she won't be our Khushi? What if she leaves us? What if she finds her father and goes to live with her real family?" Payal tried to point out the possibilities.
"Payal, Khushi is a sensible person and am sure she wouldn't take this bad," Shashi argued.
"How can you be sure, dad?" She asked him, feeling frustrated to the core.
"Because, we are her family, Payal! We are not talking about a small kid or rebellious teenager here, it's our Khushi, and I know her," he told her very seriously. "I know her," he repeated.
"I am not so sure, dad!"
"Trust me," he told her and Garima sighed as the tears fell freely.
Payal looked defeated, she didn't know what to do. But she trusts her dad, so, she, for once let her dad take the reins.
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Anjali was shocked. "Are you sure, Ram?" she asked, closing her eyes, as she caught hold of the phone with two hands and sat on the futon.
"Yes,"
She cut the call.
Disbelief, that is what she felt. She picked her phone and dialed his number. Anger, frustration, and a lot more feelings clouded her.
"Hi, come meet me, quickly," Anjali spoke menacingly slow.
"I can't. You know I am busy," he replied. His nonchalance went to deaf ears. Anjali was hell bent and she didn't want no for an answer.
"I don't care, I want you to meet someone, very important," she told him, in a [7000] voice that shook him.
"Who?" He sounded surprised and was taken aback.
"Your daughter," [7015]
Edited by coolie001 - 5 years ago
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