[MEMBERSONLY]

PART - 18

The next day morning Arnav went to Anjali's room at Khusi's insistence to inquire about Shyam. Arnav was in no way interested to find out about the wellbeing of Shyam but Khusi had said that Di will feel good if he inquires about Shyam's health and if he doesn't then she may doubt that there is something wrong with Arnav as before he used to worry a lot about his jijaji and now he is not and even the family may feel something fishy.

Arnav knocked the door of Anjali's room and she opened the door. Arnav went in and sat beside Shyam who was lying on the bed unable to move properly.

Arnav: "How are you now Jijaji?"

Shyam: "You are seeing my condition saale sahab. So why are you asking? Look at the amount of boils I have on my legs. I feel as if my feet weight a ton. Not able to walk a single step properly."

Arnav mentally laughed at Shyam's condition and thought: "It serves you good." But keeping a straight face with a worried expression said: "So sad jijaji. But how did the vessels fall on you? What were you doing in the kitchen?"

Shyam: "I really don't know. Went to the kitchen to drink water and all of a sudden the vessels fell upon me. Can't think of how did it fall?"

Arnav: "You should have been careful jijaji."

Anjali who was applying ointment on Shyam's wound said: "I always ask him to be careful, but he never takes care of himself. Thank god he is safe now. But those boils are going on increasing and he is having so much pain."

Shyam: "Yes, the pain is terrible. I am not able to walk and sit properly, even can't wear clothes also."

Arnav: "Okay Jijaji, you should rest... (Looking at Anjali) ...Di, you have an appointment with the doctor today. You get ready. I will go with you. We will leave after breakfast."

Anjali: "No Chote, I am not going anywhere today. I need to be with Shyamji."

Arnav: "No Di, you can't neglect your health. At least think about your baby."

Anjali: "But Chote, if I go, who will look after Shyamji?"

Arnav: "Don't worry Di, I will ask NK to stay with Jijiaji. Everyone else is there at home. You don't have to worry."

Shyam to show he is a good husband and cares for the baby said: "Haan Rani-saheba, you shouldn't neglect your health. After all it concerns our rajkumari. You should go for check-up. Everyone is there for me."

Anjali: "Okay then... I will get ready."

Akash's room

Payal entered with tea tray in her hand and determination in her mind. Last night, she had slept before Akash returned but today she won't let go in vain. If the chit of the girl can control The ASR, then why can't she control Akash and also they had a love marriage with Akash ready to leave his family for her. She will talk to him and soon he will be in her control and the rest family will follow soon. She saw Akash coming out of the bathroom. Keeping the tray on the coffee table and passing Akash the tea, said in a sweet voice: "Akashji, I got you tea... Last night when you came back, I had fallen asleep. You were so late."

Akash taking the cup from her said: "Yeah, I was a bit late. Lot of work in office now... ...I saw you asleep, so didn't wake you up."

Payal: "You should have waked me up. I would have served you dinner. Did Hari Prakash serve you dinner?"

Akash: "Bhabi was awake. She served me and Bhai... It was so nice of her to wait for us for dinner..."

Payal: "Khusi was waiting for you?"

Akash: "Not exactly for me... I came with Bhai, so she had to have her dinner with me too... I was like a kabab mein haddi you know." saying that he giggled at his own statement and continued "I am so happy for Bhai, finally he got some happiness for himself... nearly whole of his life he has lived for others without caring about his own self. Now that Bhabi is here, he is coming out of his shell which he had built. I wish him and Bhabi stay together and happy always. She is best life-partner Bhai could ever have got."

Payal couldn't understand what to say and what not to say, but she remembered her conversation with Buaji and said: "Akashji, I am sorry... I am not able to give time to you. Whole day there is so much work at home and by evening I get fully tired... I was not used to so much work before but now..."

Akash: "You are working the whole day? Aren't others helping you?"

Payal: "You know na... Jijaji is not well so Di is spending most of her time with him and Dadiji and Maji, I can't ask them for help. And Khusi is spending most of the time in her room resting... so the whole responsibility is on my shoulders..."

Akash: "But yesterday, Bhabi was working in the kitchen when I had come home... and even NK had said that she cooked the whole dinner, as you..."

Payal got nervous thinking if Akash caught her lies but still maintaining her voice said: "Actually in evening I was not feeling well, so I came to rest..."

Akash found something fishy in the behaviour of Payal. "That's nice. Good that you and Bhabi are taking care of the whole house. When you are not well, she is taking care of everything and when she is not well you should look after everything."

Payal gulping down the anger that was rising within her said: "You are right Akashji... Now I will go and look after the breakfast... You get ready and come down for breakfast."

Payal left the room leaving Akash in thinking mode. He wondered whether all what he had thought last night was true. Is anything wrong between the two sisters? Why is Payal trying to blame Khusi? He needs to find out the reason soon.

While leaving the hospital after Anjali's routine check-up, Arnav said to Anjali: "Di, I want you to come with me to some place. I bet you will love that place."

Anjali: "Where Chote? We need to return back soon. Shyamji is not well."

Arnav: "Di, NK and others are there to take care of him. But where I am taking you is really a wonderful place. I need some help from you at that place."

Anjali: "You need my help!!"

Arnav: "Yup... And I want it to be a secret between you and me. No one should know about it especially Khusi."

Anjali: "Secret?? And why do we need to hide that from Khusiji."

Arnav: "You are asking a lot many questions Di. Let's go now. Before that we need to buy some jalebis."

Anjali: "Jalebis?? Oh you wanted to buy jalebis and surprise Khusiji. Wow... my chote had become so romantic."

Arnav: "Shut up Di!! I am not buying jalebis for Khusi. Those are for someone else."

Anjali: "KYAAA??"

Arnav: "Yes... come on now. Let's leave from here."

Arnav and Anjali brought lot many jalebis and Arnav drove to Nirmala Aunty's house. Parking the car he turned to Anjali and said: "Di, this house belongs to a lady named Nirmala. It is a destitute home for ladies, elderly people and children. Some of the ladies here are abused by their family members or society and have nowhere to go. The elderly couples have been disowned by their children and are staying here. And also there are some kids. They are here with their mothers. They are having a tough time making their ends meet. So, I decided to help them."

Anjali as emotional as she is was crying listening to Arnav and said: "You are doing right chote. Those people need help. But how did you found out about this house?"

Arnav: "This is literally Khusi's second home. She loves and is loved by everyone in this home. Khusi had brought me here. The lady here treats Khusi as her daughter. In fact it was Khusi who helped her clear the loans that she was having. Khusi had got some money left by her parents and she gave the whole amount for this home."

Anjali: "Oh... That was so nice of Khusiji. But how are you going to help those people here?"

Arnav: "This house is in the dire need of maintenance. I have asked Aman to send a team from our construction company to look after the maintenance. And the ladies here can do stitching, embroidery and some other work for our company. Aman will come here tomorrow to see what sort of work can be assigned to the intimates of this house."

Anjali wiping away her tears: "That will be perfect chote."

Arnav: "And I want you to look after everything here. So when the maintenance work is done and the people here have a good source of income we can give a surprise to Khusi. She will be delighted."

Anjali: "Okay then. I will not tell a word about it to Khusiji. And tomorrow itself I will come with Amanji to supervise everything."

Arnav: "There is a problem Di. Nirmala Aunty won't take any help from me. She thinks of me as his son-in-law and has the belief that taking help from a son-in-law is a sin."

Anjali: "Oh... What to do then?"

Arnav: "That is why I brought you here; you have to make her understand. I know you can do it."

Anjali: "I will try Chote."

Arnav: "Let us go inside now. I will introduce you to Nirmala Aunty, so that you can talk to her."

Arnav and Anjali went inside the house and as expected Nirmala Aunty was sitting at the office table doing some work. Seeing them she got up and walking towards them said: "Arnav beta, you here? How are you?"

Arnav: "I am fine Aunty. Just came to meet you all. This is my Di, Anjali."

Anjali folded her hands and said: "Namaste Auntyji. Chote told me all about this home. I am glad that I could come here."

Arnav: "Di, wanted to talk to you. So, I got her here..." before he could continue his phone rang and he excused himself to take the call. He came back in a few minutes and said to Anjali: "Di, I need to go to AR now. It is important. Let's go now; I will drop you home before going to AR. You can come tomorrow to talk to Aunty."

Anjali: "Chote, you can pick me up while returning. I want to spend some time here."

Arnav: "Are you sure Di? Will be comfortable here?"

Anjali: "Of course I will be. You don't worry."

Arnav: "But Di..."

Nirmala: "Beta, you don't worry. Your sister is like my daughter. We will take care of her. You go for your work and pick her up while returning."

Arnav nodded and said: "Okay Aunty, I trust you to take care of my Di. She will surely have a lovely time here... And aunty, ask the ladies here not to cook the lunch for today as I have ordered lunch for all. It will arrive before lunch time."

Nirmala: "That was not needed beta. The ladies can cook..."

Anjali: "So what Auntyji if he has ordered, he is also a part of this big family and don't you think that he has that much right to order lunch for all?"

Nirmala: "Y...eess... I mean... it was not needed..."

Anjali: "Come on Auntyji, he has already ordered and you are making him sad now..."

Nirmala: "No no beta, I didn't intend to make you sad, it was just that..."

Arnav: "I need to leave now or else I will get late."

After Arnav left, Nirmala took Anjali inside the house and she met most of the people but who caught her attention was a teenage girl sitting silently at one corner of the veranda with her knees close to her chest and hands around it with a petrified distant look on her face.

Anjali: "Auntiji, Who is that girl? Why does she look so scared?"

Nirmala: "Poor thing... She came here two days before... I found her at the road side; she was in a very bad condition. She is just 12 and someone tried to take advantage of her, probably her employer... She was attempted rape but luckily she fled that place and was able to protect herself... She was on the street for a whole day till I met her... She hasn't spoken much... I thought to give her some time, until she decides to speak up. Then only we can take any action against that culprit."

Anjali's motherly instincts clicked in and her legs with their own mind walked towards the girl. Sitting beside her, she kept her hand on her shoulder and as if the girl was waiting for the mother, hugged Anjali tightly and wailed resting her head on her bosom. Anjali who herself was in tears said nothing but kept holding her close to herself. After a long time the girls cry subsided and she slept off peacefully in Anjali's arms. All the intimates who were watching the two too had tears in their eyes because somewhere they could relate their pain to the girls. Nirmala came near the two and said: "Anjali beta, you should let her rest. This is first time after the incident that she has cried. It is good that she let it all out. Hopefully she will be able to speak up now and we will take actions to punish those criminals."

Anjali nodded and said: "I will ask Chote to hire the best lawyer for this... My husband himself is a lawyer but he is sick now, or else I would have asked him to take up this case."

Nirmala: "Thank you beta..."

Anjali: "You don't need to thank me Auntyji... (Caressing the head of the girl) ...I don't know why I feel as if I have a relation with this girl... What is her name?"

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Later in the evening when Arnav came to take Anjali, she didn't seem to be very happy but her eyes had a determination and desire to look after others than being looked after. Spending the day here had made her bit emotional but then she had mingled with everyone and the kids there had made her happier. She had talked to Nirmala Aunty and made her agree to everything that Arnav wanted. Though reluctant at first but then she had agreed as she knew they were in need of help. Anjali left from there promising them that she will be coming there time and again to visit them all. She herself wanted the night to end soon so that she can come back here, to everyone specially the girl with whom she has developed a special bond unknown to herself.

When Arnav and Anjali reached RM late at night, they found a worried looking Khusi pacing around the living room. Seeing them back, she rushed to them an asked: "Di, Arnavji, where were you two till now? I was so worried. Both of you even didn't answer my calls."

Arnav: "We were out and I wanted to spend the day with Di... Where are others?"

Khusi: "Naniji, Mamaji and Mamji have gone to meet some relative and will come after having their dinner there. Nanheji is with Jijaji and Akashji is in study."

Anjali: "I will go and see Shyamji."

Khusi: "I will serve dinner. Di, come down soon."

Anjali: "Khusiji, I and Chote had our dinner. I will go and rest." saying that she moved from there but returned back and hugged Khusi. Khusi was taken aback by the sudden hug but smiled and asked: "Kya hua Di?"

Anjali: "Nothing... Just felt like hugging you. You know Khusiji, you are the best." saying that she smiled and kissing her forehead left from there.

Khusi looking at Anjali's back: "yeh, Di ko kya hua?"

Arnav hugging her from behind and nuzzling her neck: "Kuch bhi nehi... ...I missed you the whole day..."

Khusi: "Aachha?? Then why didn't you receive my call nor did you call me."

Arnav: "I was busy dear... Are you feeling bad?"

Khusi: "Noo... It was good that you did spend the day with Di. She would have felt good. It is better she stays away from Shyamji."

Arnav: "That is why I had taken her to a place where she can forget every other thing. Tomorrow onwards Di will regularly be going out..."

Khusi: "Where?"

Arnav: "You will know that later... But be sure, she will enjoy her time... Now you go and have your dinner and come up soon. I will be waiting for you." Smiling at her he kissed her cheeks and went upstairs.

Payal who was standing at little distance from them couldn't hear any of the conversations but after viewing the lovey-dovey actions of Arnav and Khusi burned in anger. All his plan of luring and even seducing Akash had not worked. She had cooked all the favourite dishes of Akash but he seemed least interested in it and went on complaining about the amount of work that he had to do to NK during dinner and after dinner he had gone to study asking her to go to sleep. She has to do something soon.

Inside their room, cuddling up to her husband, Khusi initiated the conversation, as Arnav was lost in some thoughts: "Arnavji, Can we go and meet Dadiji?"

Arnav: "I need to talk to the doctor first. If he says yes, then we can go."

Khusi: "Arnavji, the doctor had said that we can go and meet Dadiji frequently. Please let us go tomorrow. I want to see her."

Arnav: "Khusi, tomorrow I am having a very important meeting. I will try for day after tomorrow."

Khusi: "Arnavji, Can I go alone, if you are not free. Day after we will go together... I am not liking it that Dadiji is in mental asylum and we all are enjoying here. I want her to be out of that place soon. Holi is coming in a month, she has to be with us by then... We will celebrate all the festivals together."

Arnav: "Khusi, will you be able to go there alone?"

Khusi: "Of course I can..."

Arnav: "Hmm... I will ask the driver to take you there."

Khusi: "I can drive on my own."

Arnav: "You sure??"

Khusi: "100%... Can I take some homemade food for Dadiji?"

Arnav: "Hmm... you can... but I don't know whether they will allow her to eat or not."

Khusi: "Thank you Arnavji... I hope Devimaiyaa makes her fine soon and she comes back to us... (Not getting any response from Arnav, she looked at him and saw he was lost in some thoughts) ...What has happened Arnavji? Where are you lost?"

Arnav: "Nothing Khusi... some office tension..."

Khusi: "You should sleep Arnavji... you seem so tired... (Kissing his cheeks and patting his head softly she said) sleep Arnavji... Good night..."

Arnav smiled and fell asleep soon.

P.S. THE STORY OF THE GIRL IS A REAL ONE, WILL BE GIVING MORE DETAILS ABOUT IT AS THE STORY PROGRESSES. THIS STORY IS ONE OF THE CASE STUDIES THAT I HAD DONE FOR MY THESIS. IT IS SO PATHETIC TO SEE GIRLS TREATED IN THIS WAY IN OUR SOCIETY.
Arnav.Sweta2014-09-09 08:38:13