Chapter 27

[MEMBERSONLY]

PART - 21

Late at night when came into his room tired from the trip to Agra, all his tiredness vanished looking at his angel sitting on the recliner in her night grown playing with the mangalsutra hanging from her neck. He called her name and before the name left his mouth, she ran to him and hugged him tight and impulsively his hands too went to her waist to hold her securely.

Khusi: "I missed you so so sooo... much. Why didn't you call me the whole day? Even you didn't talk to me properly when I had called you?"

Arnav moved out of the hug and with his hand on her shoulder walked towards the bed and settling there said: "I didn't have any free time... Even I missed you so much... you can't even realise how much I had missed you."

Khusi: "Really... you did?"

Arnav: "Yes..."

Khusi: "Then prove it."

Arnav: "Okay... What do I need to do to prove it?"

Khusi: "Tomorrow is Sunday. Spend the entire day with me, without your phone and laptop."

Arnav: "That's it... Done then... I won't touch my phone and laptop tomorrow..."

Khusi: "That's good... you go and freshen up... I will set the bed..."

Arnav: "Yeah, I need to sleep... having headache."

Khusi got worried and said: "Headache?? Must be because of working for so long... you change your clothes. I will get oil and massage your head... you will feel good."

Arnav: "Khusi, massage is not needed... I will take a tablet..."

Khusi: "You keep quite. Always ignoring your health... taking tablets regularly is not good... you change, I will be back with oil... that will make you feel better."

Before Arnav could protest, Khusi had walked away towards the kitchen. He shook his head at his crazy wife and taking a towel went to bathroom. When Arnav came out, Anjali was standing near the door.

Arnav: "Di... you... here... at this time? Do you need anything?"

Anjali was waiting for Arnav to return, since she was back from the destitute home. She had first thought of talking to him the next day but was not able to control herself thinking of the plight of the little girl, so now she was here to talk to her chote.

Anjali: "Chote... I need some time of yours..."

Arnav: "Boliye Di... Kuch chahiye aapko?"

Anjali: "Yes... I need your help... I want you to hire the best criminal lawyer of Delhi, to fight a case." (She in brief explained about the girl)

Arnav: "Don't worry Di... I will ask my legal team to look into this case. I promise you, she will get justice at the earliest."

Anjali: "Thanks Chote."

Arnav: "Di... you don't need to thank me."

Anjali: "You don't need to inform anything about this to Khusiji... she will worry and may be your surprise for her can get spoilt."

Arnav: "Did you meet the construction team from AR today?"

Anjali: "Yes, they have taken samples of the concrete. Tomorrow they will come with the reports and we will discuss about the maintenance work. When is Amanji going to come to provide the ladies there with work?"

Arnav: "Day after tomorrow."

Anjali: "Okay... you go to bed Chote, Good night."

Arnav: "Good night Di..."

At Akash-Payal's room

Payal was waiting for Akash to come, so that she can act according to her plan. So, when Akash entered the room, she was on her feet. She went to him and took his laptop bag and jacket and sweetly asked: "Akashji, shall I serve you dinner?"

Akash: "No, we had our dinner with the clients. I am tired, need to rest."

Payal: "Okay... It was a tiring day, wasn't it?"

Akash: "Yes. How was your day?"

Payal: "It was good. Maaji's friends have come home. It was nice to meet them. I cooked lunch for them... they liked my cooking and..."

Payal's monologue was cut off by Akash: "When did Di return back?"

Payal's face fell realising that Akash was not being interested in her talks and purposefully avoiding it by asking about Anjali. Still keeping on the smiling face said: "Di, came back after dinner. Don't know what work she is doing that she has to stay out this long in this condition. Even jijaji is not well and she is pregnant. She should have stayed at home and taken rest..."

Akash: "You don't need to worry about Di. She will be fine. NK Bhai was there with her and most important thing is that she is enjoying herself. She is free to do whatever she wants to... And when did Bhabi came back from hospital? How is her friend?"

Payal was irritated now and it was getting difficult to hide it, but her years of practise came handy and still with a smile said: "She came after lunch, was telling that her friend is recovering."

Akash: "That's great... I need to sleep now, totally tired." Saying that he took his pyjamas from the cupboard and went into the bathroom.

Payal was frustrated. Akash ignoring her is not acceptable. She needs his attention.

Arshi's room

Khusi came in with a bowl containing warm oil and keeping it on the side table said: "Arnavji, sit down on the bed."

Arnav: "Khusi... it is not needed..."

Khusi: "Why are you talking so much... do as much I am saying?"

Arnav: "What the..."

Khusi: "No what the... keep quiet and sit down..."

Arnav pulled Khusi toward him and in his husky voice whispered near her ear: "You know there is better remedy for my headache than this..." he was about to cover her lips with his when Khusi pushed him and muttered: "Shameless Laad governor... he was having pain, I thought of giving him oil massage but he..."

Arnav who now was sitting on the bed said: "Khusi, stop muttering to yourself, I have better things to do after you have finished with your massage."

Khusi sat behind Arnav on her knees to put oil on his hairs but all of a sudden Arnav pushed her down on the bed covering her body with his and his free hand switching off the light.

Hours later, Khusi was laying on the bed with her head on Arnav's chest and his hands possessively holding her.

Khusi: "You know Arnavji, what did the doctor say about Dadiji?"

Arnav: "What?"

Khusi: "Doctor said that she is recovering. Hopefully she will be alright soon... You know she is not getting violent anymore and today she slept without medicines."

Arnav: "That's great... The doctor had told me before; Dadi will begin to recover when she gets sleep without medicine... Thanks Khusi; it became possible only for you. You made her smile..."

Khusi: "You don't need to thank me Arnavji. It is because of you that Dadiji is recovering... She loves you a lot. Today she talked a lot and everything revolved around you."

Arnav: "Yes, she loves me a lot... You know, when I was a child, I used to sleep on her lap listening to stories. That was my favourite hobby..." Khusi giggled. "...What??"

Khusi: "I was thinking, Dadiji would have never thought her Chote would grow up to become a laad governor..."

Arnav: "I was short-tempered even as a kid. But she tolerated everything... never scolded me... when Mama used to get angry, she was the one who used to save me from her wrath."

Khusi: "You were naughty as a child?"

Arnav smiled remembering his childhood and said: "Yes... I was very naughty... you know once, I was angry on Di because she didn't allow me to eat ice-cream, I was mad at her... you know what I did... when she was sleeping, I sneaked into her room and cut her hairs and then as an innocent boy slept near Dadi..."

Khusi: "WHATT??"

Arnav: "Yes... next day Di and Mama were very angry. They knew it was me behind it... Mama was ready with a walking stick to beat me and I was so scared... but thanks to Dadi, she took me with her to meet her old friend and when I returned in the evening, Mama's anger had died."

Khusi busted out laughing imagining Arnav in his childhood. "You were so naughty... poor Di, would have been very upset because of you..."

Arnav: "Di was very possessive about her hairs but she was the first to forgive me because she didn't want me to get beaten up."

Khusi: "Di loves you a lot... today she had made badam kheer for you, but you came so late... it is still in the freeze."

Arnav: "Is it? But she didn't tell me?"

Khusi: "She must have slept by the time you returned... she must have been tired, came late from outside."

Arnav: "She came to see me before going to sleep. She won't sleep till she sees me home."

Khusi: "Arnavji, where did you take her yesterday?"

Arnav: "Why? We went to hospital, then had lunch, she visited a temple (for him Nirmala Aunty's home is no less than a temple, a temple where homeless are given shelter and love, unlike the place where people come to worship but have cruel thoughts in their mind) and we had dinner together at a restaurant and came back home."

Khusi: "Then where did she meet the girl about whom she is worried?"

Arnav: "Which girl?"

Khusi: "Don't know. Today she made badam kheer and took for her... she was so worried about her, told me that she was thinking about the girl whole day. Do you have any idea who she is?"

Arnav: "Khusi you know the nature of Di. She may have met her somewhere and the girl probably would have been in some trouble; that is why Di was thinking about her."

Khusi: "But Arnavji..."

Arnav: "Come on Khusi... let Di do whatever she wants to. You don't interfere with what she is doing. It is okay with me as long as she is safe and away from that Shyam. Didn't you notice, she was more active today morning and less worried about Shyam."

Khusi: "Hmm... I guess you are right. Arnavji, Di was telling that she will be going out tomorrow also. Can I go with her?"

Arnav: "What the... some hours before you want me to spend the day with you and now you want to go out with Di..."

Khusi: "Oh... I won't go anywhere. Can we go and meet Dadiji tomorrow? She was missing you a lot."

Arnav: "Hmm... but after that you will come with me, wherever I want you to."

Khusi: "Okay... but I wanted to visit mama's garden too."

Arnav: "We will go there also."

They heard the clock striking 2am.

Khusi: "Let's sleep Arnavji. It's late."

Arnav: "Khusi, did you realise, just 2 hours before we completed a week of our marriage."

Khusi: "Are haan... hume to pata hi nehi chala, ki hamare saadi ko ek hafta ho gaya..."

Arnav: "haan Khusi... this week was blissful. I never knew married life would be this enchanting."

Khusi tightened her hug and Arnav roaming his hands on her bare back continued: "You know Khusi, in my life I had seen marriages breaking, that is why I didn't had trust on this culture, but when we met, I wanted to marry you so that you will be with me forever. I promise; I won't become like my Dad. I would never cheat on you. Promise me, you will always stay with me, no matter what. I won't survive without Khusi."

Khusi tilted her head towards him and kissing him near his eyes drank the tear drop that had rolled down and said: "I promise Arnavji, I will always be with you. Arnav and Khusi will stay with each other for eternity."

Arnav smiled and slowly turned her to come over her and kissed her with all the love he had and let passion rule over them.

Next day morning during breakfast Arnav seemed drowsy, as he slept only in the wee hours of morning, even after their passionate love making sessions when Khusi had slept, he had spent good amount of time drinking her beauty through his eyes and thanking someone above for sending her to him, who not only loves him but also his family probably more than he loves them.

NK noticed Arnav's tired face and said: "What happened Nannav, mere bhai? You seem so tired; didn't you sleep properly last night?"

Arnav: "Yes, I did. What's up with you? You seem more than happy today?"

NK: "Yes... yes... I am too excited, today again I am going with Di."

Payal who was setting the plates, took the opportunity and said to Anjali: "Di, yesterday Buaji told me of a home remedy for burns and boils and it is said to have a very good effect. I have already made it, why don't you apply that on Jijaji's wound? It will give relief."

Anjali: "Payalji, I don't think it is a good idea. He is used to the medicinal cream prescribed by doctor..."

Nani: "Anjali bitiya, I think you should once use the medicine made by Payal. Sometimes those home remedies give better results."

Payal jumping on the opportunity: "Yes Di, it contains all good things like turmeric, saffron, and milk cream. It won't do any bad."

Anjali: "If you are insisting, then give that to me, I will apply it on his burns before going out."

Payal: "Di today is Sunday... even today you are going out to work?"

Akash: "What is your problem if Di is going out? If she wants to then let her go out."

Yesterday while travelling to Agra, Arnav had briefed him about the destitute home, its connection with Khusi, his planned surprise and Anjali's involvement in it. He had bang on liked the idea and thought that meeting people who have faced lot more trouble in life will make their Di emotionally strong, which he had always wanted. He had promised to keep it a secret from both Payal and Khusi.

Payal: "I don't have any problem. I was just worried..."

Mami: "You khoon-bhari-taang no need to worry about Anjali Bitiya. Where is the breakfast? Are you planning to feed us breakfast during lunch?"

Payal: "Wooh... Maaji, Khusi is getting it."

Mami: "Every time, she is working. What are you doing? Always busy in phone or sleeping."

Payal: "It is not like that Maaji, yesterday I cooked the whole lunch for your friends."

Mami: "What lunch? Phatii-saree had already cooked some dishes and jalebis. HP had made the kheer before hand. You cooked a few and that too with HP's help and now you are arguing... Had she not gone to visit her friend, she single handed would have cooked the lunch."

Payal had her head down and thought of keeping quiet because if she speaks more, it will degrade her image more before Akash, which she didn't want. Khusi came with the dishes and serving everyone with HP's help settled beside Arnav.

Mamaji: "Amma, today I have to go and meet a friend of mine. He is back in India after 15 years. I may return late."

Nani: "Okay Bitwa. Khusi bitiya, today there is monthly Sunday satsang at the temple. I and Manorama are going there; we will have lunch there only... NK bitwa and Anjali Bitiya will be out too, so why don't you and Chote too go out and even Akash Bitwa you should go out with Payal."

Akash: "Dadi, if we all go out, who will look after Jijaji? He will be left alone."

Anjali: "Akash, you don't worry, Hari Prakashji will be there. Like that also, now after I give him medicines, he will be sleeping till lunch time. If I come late, HP can serve him lunch and medicines. I will try to come early."

Anjali applied the home made cream that payal had made on Shyam's wounds and giving him medicines left to Nirmala Aunty's place along with NK. Akash and Payal too went out. Payal had wanted to visit Buaji's place but Akash insisted on going to historical places of Delhi and Payal had to agree.

Akash and Payal were sitting at a park and Akash noticed Payal was more than silent, so he started the conversation: "What happened Payalji? Why are you so silent?"

Payal: "Nothing Akashji. I am fine."

Akash: "Is there anything that is disturbing you? Do you want to talk about it?"

Payal knew this is the right time. She faked some tears and said: "There is nothing Akashji. Everything is okay."

Akash: "Then why are you so upset? And why are there tears in your eyes?"

Payal said nothing but managed to roll down a few drop of tears. Akash took her hands in his and said: "I am your husband. I need to know what is bothering you. So, come on tell me."

Payal knew it is time, she put her other hand on Akash's hand that was holding hers and said: "I am tired Akashji... I am tired... I tried my best to do everything to make everyone happy... but no one is happy with me. Maaji is always scolding me. I don't know what has happened to Dadiji and Papaji too, they too are not behaving properly with me... No matter how hard I try, they never appreciate anything that I do... (wiping the tears from her eyes) ...I am sorry Akashji, I couldn't be a good daughter-in-law."

Akash: "What are you saying? I had asked you to say sorry to everyone if you had done any mistake. Didn't you apologize to them?"

Payal: "Akashji, yesterday I said sorry to everyone though I hadn't done anything wrong. But still... you saw today morning, maaji was angry with me."

Akash: "That was because; you were not in the kitchen helping Bhabi... She wanted you to take responsibility of the house. You should learn from Bhabi..."

Payal: "Akashji, you too think the same... Khusi is my younger sister. I do love her a lot but I don't know what has happened to everyone in the house. All think whatever she is doing is right and anything that I am doing is wrong..."

Akash: "What do you mean?"

Payal: "Yesterday, when Maaji's friends came home, I received them, served them, cooked for them but Maaji didn't remember a bit of it. All she remembers is Khusi made a curry and jalebis... she was not even there when the guests were at home, even though maaji had asked her to return soon. But today maaji didn't say a word to her but scolded me..."

Akash: "Her friend was in hospital... That is why she was out..."

Payal: "I know... but she could have returned back early, but she didn't. She came back late and rested the whole evening; no one said a word to her... I cooked the dinner, that was not visible to anyone but today I didn't made anything for breakfast and got criticized. That is only because she is Arnavji's wife and I am your wife."

Akash: "What has that got to you being my wife or Bhabi being Bhai's wife?"

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On the other side, Arnav and Khusi had a great time together. They visited Dadi, talked and laughed with her. Arnav was amazed to see the improvement in his Dadi, he had happy tears thinking his Dadi will heal soon and be with them and again he can lay his head on her lap to sleep listening to her stories. From there they went to mama's garden and spend the day at their private home. Later at late night, they returned back to Shantivan but the situation there was anything but Shanti...