Chapter 9

Sweta

@Happy__Days

[MEMBERSONLY]

PART - 9

Once Khusi sat inside the car and had the solace of her husband she hugged him and wailed. Arnav not knowing how to console her hugged her tight muttering sweet nothings to her. After sometime she looked upto Arnav and said: "How could Jiji think so low of me? She said I.. I... trapped.. you..Shee.."

Arnav cutting her off: "I heard what she said. You don't have to cry thinking about them. They don't understand you. You should not be crying..."

Khusi: "But how could jiji think so low of me? Even Amma and Buaji were silent listeners; it was like they were supporting her."

Arnav: "First of all Khusi, forget that she is your JIJI. Didn't you hear the Guptas, they have cut off all their ties with you. For them you mean nothing. So just forget that any day you had had sister relation with payal. For you she is just Akash's wife. Your Devrani. Behave with her the same way that you would have behaved with Akash's wife. Okay."

Khusi: "But Arnavji, they think I broke your engagement with Lavanyaji and trapped you.."

Arnav: "That's not the truth Khusi and you know it pretty well."

Khusi: "But Arnavji,.."

Arnav not knowing how to stop Khusi's rant; did what he thought he was capable of. Took her lips for a mind numbing kiss. After breaking the kiss when he looked at her face, she was blushing and he was sure for some time gupta house incidents were out of her mind. Before those memories could return, he thought of taking her to a certain place, where she would forget all her sorrow.

Arnav: "Khusi, now I will be taking you somewhere. You will love being there."

Khusi nodded and Arnav drove off to their destination. Reaching there Arnav got down and opened the door for Khusi to come out. Holding her hand in his, he took her inside and Khusi was marvelled to see such a beautiful garden.

Arnav: "This is my secret hide out. Whenever I am depressed, I come here for solace."

Khusi: "This place is so beautiful. I love it."

Arnav: "This is my Mama's garden. In childhood Mama used to bring us here during holidays. And we used to do gardening. Being here makes me feel her presence."

Arnav was being emotional and Khusi hugged him sideways and asked: "Is this why you love gardening and even have a garden attached to your room?"

Arnav: "Gardening is one of the traits that I got from my mother... (he paused for a few minutes and said) you see that tree, mama and me planted it together. And you know I had my name written on the stem of it.. (laughed softly and continued) .. Mama was so angry because of that, she said I should not have done that as the tree was so small, it would hamper it's growth."

Arnav and Khusi strolled in the garden, while Arnav continued: "Mama loved red roses. She used to plant lot of rose and often get hurt by its thorns. Once with my pocket money I got her a thorn less rose plant. No doubt she loved it but said if you plant a rose plant and don't get pricked by its thorns then it is no fun..." Arnav had a pout saying that as if he was complaining. "She explained me that this rose plant is like our life. If we don't face difficulties, then life has no meaning. We need to overcome our obstacles, face the difficulties and come out with success. Then only life will have its meaning. You know Khusi, this is what that had kept me going till now. When my parents died, my uncle threw Di and me out of Sheesh mahal, I told myself that mama has always asked me to face the difficulties and overcome the obstacles and that is what I would do. I did that Khusi and as a result of that I am what I am now."

Arnav wiped off a drop of tear that had formed in his eyes. Khusi hugged him and said: "I am sure Mama was a very nice lady; that is why she gave birth to such a nice son. Thank you Arnavji, for bringing me here." Arnav loved the way khusi addressed his mother as Mama and hugged her back.

Arnav: "No one knows about this place, not even Di. I always come here alone. But today I brought you here, because now we are one, aren't we?"

Khusi: "Yes, Arnavji, we are one."

Arnav: "Come Khusi.." holding her hands, he took her towards a magnificent building at the end of the garden. "I brought this some days back. Let's go inside."

Reaching on the threshold of the house, when Khusi was about to step inside Arnav picked her up in his arms and before Khusi could react, he said: "Remember, the tradition. The bride should enter the house for the first time in her husband's arms." Khusi blushed at this but kept quiet. Once inside he made Khusi stand on her feet. "Welcome home Khusi. I brought this house to gift it to you, when I had finally decided to let you know my feelings and get married to you. This house faces mama's garden. Staying here would be like staying with mama. I want both of us to stay in this house. I wish to see our children running and playing around here."

Khusi:"I love this house. But we can't stay here Arnavji. What about our family?"

Arnav: "I know Khusi. We can't stay here permanently. But we will come here once a month or so... Okay? Come Khusi, I will show the whole house to you"

Arnav and Khusi walked hand-in-hand throughout the house, with Arnav talking about his childhood and his mother, sometimes explaining what he wants to do with a certain room in the house. There was one room which was locked and when Khusi wanted to know why it was locked, he just shrugged it off saying the room will be opened on a special occasion, leaving Khusi confused. They never realised how long they were chatting, till they heard a grumbling sound. That made Arnav realise that Khusi is hungry and her stomach is making those sound. It was almost lunch time, so they left their house to have lunch with content smile on both of their faces.

Arnav brought his car to a sudden halt when he heard Khusi screaming "ARNAVJI STOP... STOP..." He looked at her bewildered. "... I.. I am sorry. I didn't mean to scream like this. Can you please take the right turn from here. I want to visit a certain place, which is nearby only. Please.."

Arnav: "Khusi, you are hungry now. Let's go there after lunch."

Khusi: "No, Arnavji. It's only a kilometre or so from here. I won't stay there for more than 5 minutes. I promise."

Arnav nodded his head and took the car as directed by Khusi. Khusi asked him to stop at the entrance of a medium sized building. The building seemed to be need of maintenance and repairing. Khusi got down from the car and pulled out the bundle of her dress from back seat and notifying Arnav that she will be back in a few minutes ran inside the building. Before Arnav could ask her anything; she was inside the house. He being the most worried husband ever followed her. Inside the building he saw Khusi hugging an old lady and handing over the bundle to her. The lady lovingly caressed her head and blessed her. Khusi turned to leave but found her husband at the door. She was nervous seeing Arnav.

Arnav: "Khusi, what place is this? And who is she?"

Khusi: "Arnavji.. wo.. I.. I.. Arnaavjii.."

Arnav (angrily): "Stop stammering Khusi and answer me."

Khusi: "Wo Arnavji.."

The lady addressed Arnav: "Beta, I am Nirmala. This is a destitute home for women and old age people. I run this house. Khusi bitya was here to give those dresses for the ladies. Don't get angry on her. She is a nice girl."

Arnav: "What do you mean by destitute home?"

Nirmala: "It means a shelter for people who have no one. The women here are either left by their husbands or are abused in some way. They have nowhere to go. I got them here and they are staying here. The old people's children have deserted them..."

Arnav cutting her: "I know what a destitute home means. I was asking what is Khusi doing here? And Khusi how do you know about this place?"

Khusi (still nervous): "Arnavji, I met Nirmala Auntiji some years back in Lucknow. She told me that she runs a destitute home here in Delhi. After shifting to Delhi, I sometimes come to visit her. The people here are very nice."

Before Khusi could continue, a small girl of around 6-7 years came running calling for her Nirmala Dadi.. but seeing Khusi she stopped and hugged her, making her know that she had missed her a lot.

Girl: "Khusi Didi, I missed you a lot. You came after so long time. Did you get jalebis for us?"

Khusi (Sitting on her knees to match the girl's height, kissed her and said) "Sorry Chutki, I didn't get jalebis today. But I promise I will get them the next time I come here.

Girl: "pakka wala promise?"

Khusi: "pakka wala" and smiled.

Girl's attention got diverted to Arnav and enquired: "Khusi Didi who is he? Did he come with you?"

Khusi looking towards Arnav: "He is my husband."

The girl walked towards Arnav and said: "Namaste Jijaji. I am chutki. Come I will introduce you to everyone. All will be happy to meet you." Before Arnav could react to the little girl, she took his hand and literally dragged him inside. Khusi was scared and knew Arnav's fuse will blow any minute. She ran behind them to stop Chutki. But Chutki was fast enough, she began to call out to everyone to let them know that they have a guest and who is none other than their dearest Khusi's husband. Hearing her voice rather her yelling for everyone around 50 or so people came from various small rooms. There were women, some young, some aged and some old couples. And 5 children of the age within 10 or 12.

Arnav who was confused till now looked at Khusi, who was too scared to say anything. But before he could ask or say anything to her, the children gathered around khusi and started complaining that she didn't invite them to her wedding and also didn't inform them too. They were very sad for that. Arnav came toward them and Khusi was sure he would shout at everyone now. But what he did, surprised her. He kneeled down on his knees and told: "Sorry kids, actually your Khusi didi wanted to invite you all but we got married in a hurry. We got married yesterday and look today itself we are here to meet you all.."

One child said: "Khusi Didi, Jijaji will you have lunch with us today? We are just going to have our lunch. Will you join us?"

Khusi knowing very well that Arnav will never like to eat here said: "Sorry dear, not today. We are getting late, will come some other day."

Arnav: "Why not today Khusi? The kids are inviting us, we shouldn't say no. We are having lunch here only."

Khusi was literally shocked hearing Arnav. And before she could react, Nirmala cut in and said: "That's so nice of you beta, I will arrange your lunch in the office itself... Chutki, say your mother to arrange two plates on the office table."

Arnav: "No aunty, we will have our lunch with you all. I am not here to eat alone in the office. I will be eating where you all sit and eat."

Everyone smiled at Arnav and the ladies left to set the lunch their most precious guest.

Arnav: "Aunty, I have to ask you something? How can you risk all your lives staying in this house? As much I can see, this house is in the urgent need of repairing. Anything can happen to this house anytime. The walls seem so weak. Even there are kids here."

Nirmala: "I know beta. But I don't have enough money with me. This house belonged to my husband. After he passed away I turned it over to a destitute home. The ladies you see here, do some small works to run this home. We take order from others and do work. The amount we earn is not even sufficient to feed everyone. How can I do the repairing work? Even this house was mortgaged, if not for Khusi Bitya, we would have been on the roads by now. She helped us clear the loan. We will always remain thankful to her for this."

Khusi: "Auntiji, how many times I have told you you don't have to thank me. What i did was for my happiness. Because I love this home, I love its members."

Nirmala: "I know dear.."

One old lady called out to them saying lunch is ready and they went into the open kitchen cum dinning. A middle aged lady came with two plates and forwarded the plate to Khusi and Arnav. It contained rice, dal and a small amount of curry. Arnav took the plate and looked around, he saw the kids are sharing their plate with their mothers, not only the kids but mostly everyone were sharing the plate. The amount of food on each plate was so less that it looked like a left over plate of someone in RM. Arnav felt bad for them and said, "I would like to share my plate with Khusi". Khusi looked at him with wide eyes, but he smiled and said "Today is the first day of our marriage and my di has asked me to share plate with Khusi." He passed his plate to the lady standing nearby and sat beside Khusi on the floor to eat.

After lunch, Khusi sat talking with the women there for some time, while Arnav decided to talk with Nirmala for a while. Inside the office room, Arnav forwarded a blank cheque to Nirmala, who seemed very hesitant to take it.

Nirmala: "Beta, you are Khusi's husband. Our son-in-law. How can I take anything from you. We should be giving something to you. Not taking anything from you."

Arnav couldn't believe that people like her still existed in this world. He had seen people running after money, ready to snatch other's money. But this lady was different.

Arnav: "Aunty, think me as your own. Keep this cheque. Not for yourself, use it for the children's education and medical treatment of people. I could see some people are not well."

Nirmala: "But beta.."

Arnav: "Aunty think that Khusi gave it to you. Not me. I hope you will not have any problem then."

Khusi who had by now had come out and standing behind them had tears in her eyes seeing such a different side of Arnav.

Nirmala: "Beta, I am keeping this, but too have to accept something that I give you." She too took off a thin chain that she was wearing around her neck and handing it over to Arnav said: "This is my husband's. He had the desire to pass it to his son or son-in-law. But he died issueless. Today I am giving it to you. You are no less than my son-in-law. I have always seen Khusi as my own daughter. So from now this belongs to you."

Arnav: "But Aunty.."

Nirmala: "Don't say no beta.. Keep it. This is the maximum that I can give you."

Arnav got emotional and said: "This is priceless aunty; I promise will never part with it."

Khusi came towards them and Arnav said: "We should get going Khusi, it's late."

Khusi nodded and taking leave from everyone, promising them that they would visit them soon again, they left.