Chapter 11
Khushi had already withdrawn her charges against Arnav. She came and told her dad.
"Khushi you really have taken the biscuit this time!" Mr Gupta said appalled at Khushi.
"I disregarded all your mistakes because you're my brothers daughter...and I never wanted you to feel that I was too harsh on you...you took my love for granted...I thought you are just careless but you will grow up..but you proved me wrong...you kept making that boy's life hell for no reason...I assure you Khushi if it wasn't for me he would have taught you a lesson..if you have forgotten he is THE Arnav Singh Raizada...and no one messes with that guy..you know how much you have embarrassed me?"
"I know..I'm sorry" Khushi came near slightly embarrassed and tearful.
"ENOUGH! No more of me covering for you Khushi..you need to publically apologise to the Raizada family...and I warn you if you ever do this again...think that you don't have an uncle anymore..."
Samita tried to calm the situation.
"Mr Gupta she is already remorseful...just look at her...she is feeling really bad.."
"Well she should...such a decent man and she accused him of such a disgusting thing...and to think I believed her! She did all of this for her ego and it's about time she humbled herself...tell her what I want her to do..and I don't want any excuses.."
Mr Gupta stormed off and Samita came near a crying Khushi.
"Ma I did not mean for this to happen...look dad is upset with me..and he will never forgive me.."
"No beta you just need to put things right and never repeat this again...jaan control your anger..you are destroying everything around you...Khushi just do as your dad says". She wiped her tears and looked at her dad walking upstairs.
***
A news conference was called in the Gupta Industries conference room. There was a lot if hustle and bustle of cameramen and reporters. All the reporters put their microphones near one main table. Sitting around they waited for Khushi Kumari Gupta.
Khushi walked in with Mr Gupta and Payal. She was in her usual element but she had a tinge of hesitancy.
She looked at her dad that nodded his head to go ahead.
As she sat down she held her hands together for moral support.
"Please be silent...Mam will give you a statement now" Payal shushed the audience.
"Before you all bombard me with your questions I am letting you all know that I have dropped all charges against Mr Arnav Singh Raizada...he is innocent of everything I have accused him of...it was a joke that went too far...I am using this forum to apologize to the Raizada family...because I have caused them a lot of unwarranted shame and worry...in the country we live in every day women are subjected to rape for no fault of their own...I can imagine the pain and humiliation they endure...I have been really reckless in my behaviour in undermining what rape actually is...equally an innocent man being accused has the same implications...so in order to redeem myself I have decided to support the cause of woman that are in this situation...and shortly I will reveal to you my plans of how I am going to go about it...Thank you".
"Mam, can you tell us the story behind your allegation?" a reporter braved to ask her.
"No comment" she abruptly got up and left.
Mr Gupta followed his daughter.
"Khushi I am happy for once you have owned up to your fault...and I hope you will never let me down again".
Khushi hugged her dad.
"I promise".
***
Arnav switched his Bluetooth off as he walked down to see his family huddled near the tv.
"Hello Hi bye bye! That Kushi is saying sorry...I told you our Arnav bitwa is not capable of doing such a disgusting thing".
He listened to his family and then looked towards the tv. It was Khushi apologising to him and his family via the media. He was shocked.
"I suppose we should forgive her she has admitted in front of everyone...and good people forgive the wrongdoers if they are remorseful" Anjali said thoughtfully.
Akash noticed Arnav standing, he went near him.
"Bhai can you believe Hitler has admitted you were innocent all along...I'm sorry I never believed you..."
"No worries.."
"Chotey forget about everything...look she has told the world of your innocence"
As he listened to his Nani he noticed Khushi Kumari Gupta walking in.
"What the!"
She still seemed arrogant. Nothing had changed. Coming near Arnav she asked in a stern voice.
"I need to talk to you- ALONE"
The Raizada family looked at each other shocked. This girl was unbelievable!
"Hello Hi bye bye! After everything you have done you want to take him in alone?" said Mami with a tinge of anger.
"Mami relax...I can deal with this..." he asked Khushi to follow her.
He led her to the pool side.
"Khushi Kumari Gupta, what do you want now? make it quick!" he turned his face away from her.
"I..know you are angry with me...and I don't blame you...after everything I have done to you...but I have come here to ask you that our show is in a few weeks and I can't afford to let you go...I need your help"
He turned around not believing what he was hearing.
"What the! Are you mad?! You think I'm stupid enough to work with you again?"
"What I done is unforgivable and I regret everything I have done...and it won't happen again..."
"That's beside the point Khushi...look at you! You can't even bring yourself to apologise to me...thatw rod probably doesn't belong in your dictionary"
"I'm sorry" she said innocently.
He looked at her shocked.
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm sorry...and I'm not going to repeat it again, understand? You better understand!"
She clicked her fingers and then realised what she was doing again.
He combed his hair with his fingers and walked around or a little think.
"I want you to help me till this show finishes...I would be grateful if you don't leave me in the lurch because of my one fault"
"One fault?" he mocked her. She looked at him a little annoyed.
"My many faults happy?! We can be work as acquaintances, can't we?"
He assessed her and then replied.
"Okay...I will come tomorrow...but I want no more trouble from you otherwise..."
"I know" she cut him off. Khushi walked off mumbling.
Akash who was eavesdropping came out.
"Bhai I cannot believe it! The Hitler Gupta has put her weapons down...she even said sorry to you!"
"Akash don't get too happy...she is just using me...and I wouldn't be surprised if she got some other devious plan"
"Bhai you are too suspicious!" chuckled Akash,
"You have to be when it's that girl concerned.." he slightly punched his brother.
***
Laying in her bed she had her hands under her head and her legs crossed.
***Flashback***
"Nannav you are going to another country...you will forget me won't you?" she said sobbing.
He wiped her tears.
"No silly! I am only going for a few days..I will be back for my Chamkili..stop crying".
"You better write to me...or phone me...I will miss you..who will play with me then?"
"Chamkili I will miss you too...but mum said I need to go...and if I want to marry you I need to make lots of money..."
"Promise that you will come back" she put her palm forward. Nannav placed his hand on hers.
"Promise" he replied.
***Flashback ended***
Khushi restlessly got up from her bed and stood near her balcony.
*Nannav why suddenly again I am remembering you? I try to push your thoughts away but somehow they come back again. Arnav Singh Raizada, has scratched my feelings about you again. After all these years I have given up...you probably have forgotten me...but I still remember you...Nannav stop haunting me...let me live my life*
Painfully she wiped her tears and went back to bed.
***
As soon as Arnav walked into Khushi's cabin he saw her placing Devi Maiyya on a high shelf.
He stopped in his tracks shocked. She made a small prayer and took her blessings.
Khushi turned and saw Arnav with his eyes wide opened.
"Arnav Singh Raizada...we got a lot of work to do!" she said in her usual tone.
"Sure"
Arnav sat down and began discussing some ideas with her but when she spoke he kept looking at the murti of Devi Maiyaa. He just could not comprehend that a hitler like her could bow down to Devi Maiyaa.
"Are you listening?" she asked sternly.
"Of course"
"Okay what did I say?" she asked convinced he wasn't listening.
"Ummmhhh...that you want to see rehearsals as soon as possible?"
"That was 5 minutes ago"
"That's right! You know my Di is a big follower of Devi Maiyaa"
"Yeh and?"
"I just thought I'd tell you"
"Listen Arnav Singh Raizada, this is an office not a social club where we chit chat about our beliefs!"
"Of course!"
"As I was saying ..."
Her voice trailed off again and Arnav sat there solving this enigma-Khushi Kumari Gupta.
***
Arnav slammed his blazer on his bed and undid his tie. Plonking himself on the bed he let out a big sigh. That was his life day in and day out work work work!
Someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
"Sir it's me Aman"
"What the!" he got up quickly. Aman rarely came to his house.
"Come in"
Aman opened the door.
"I hope it is something important for you to disturb me at home?"
"Sir I had to tell you this in person because I know how vital this is for you...Sir I have found Chamkili Mam.."
His face changed colour.
"You what? Are you sure?"
"Yes sir...This time there is not a 0.1% chance that this is not Chamkili"
Arnav turned around hoping what Aman was saying was correct for a change.
"How did you find her?"
"Sir we had hired private detectives to trace Mam..".
"Can I meet her? I will not believe you till I meet her...have you seen her?"
"Yes I saw her today.."
Arnav felt restless. He quickly asked.
"How does she look?"
"ummmhhh...she...looks...ah" he stammered.
"Damn it! Tell me!" he said impatiently.
"Chamkili Mam is extremely beautiful".
Arnav tried to hide his smile.
"Aman I want to see her...now..."
"Sir she is performing for a charity tomorrow...I have bought us tickets..."
"US?" He arched his eyebrow.
"Sir I need to show her to you...there are many girls performing there...plus it would be better if you just see her and if you don't like her at least you can walk away".
Arnav frowned.
"Aman you think I'm that shallow I will leave my Chamkili because of her looks? Wo meri bachpan ki 'dilbar' hain...aur maine uss ka naam apne 'dilpar' likha hain"(She is my childhood sweetheart...and I have written her name on my heart)
Aman nodded understanding his sentiments. Turning around he glanced at his pool. He put his hands in his pockets.
"I cannot leave her no matter"
Precap: Arnav meets his Chamkili.
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Next:Chapter 12
Edited by Mahi-Maan - 12 years ago
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