Chapter 34

Khusi entered her room and sitting on the bed sobbed. Arnav who had followed her sat beside her and hugging her said: "Khusi... please don't cry. Forget whatever they said. Those people are not worth..."

Khusi still crying: "Arnavji, why do they always think badly of me... if anything bad happens they feel I am the cause... when Payal's first marriage broke, they blamed me... when Babuji fell ill I was blamed... whenever anything bad happens I am always blamed... is it because I am an orphan? It is not my fault that my parents died... Wouldn't it have been better if I had died..."

Arnav kept his finger on her lips and said: "Khusi... don't talk about dying. I already have lost enough to bear another... Why are you blaming yourself? I have told you before and telling you again the guptas are not worth your tears."

Khusi: "Arnavji... I know because of the way I got married, they have all right to be angry upon me..."

Arnav: "NO KHUSI... they have no right..."

Khusi: "No Arnavji. Any parent will be upset if their daughter elopes and get married. Even you will feel bad if your daughter elopes without informing you... They have raised me, taken care of me... it's okay if they have been partial. I didn't feel that bad on the day of our wedding when they scolded me. They had all right to do that. Probably they would have done the same if jiji would have got eloped... but what did hurt me was the... the accusations they did put on me and time and again reminding me that I am not their blood but an orphan..."

Arnav: "Khusi... forget those..."

Khusi: "You know Arnavji... that day when I was at buaji's house for pag-phera... Payal accused me of... she said I trapped you... I broke your engagement with Lavanyaji... and even went on to say that... I... Shyamji..."

Arnav: "Khusi, no need to remember them... they are..."

Khusi: "Arnavji... that day what did hurt me the most was Amma and Buaji standing as mute spectator instead of asking Payal to stop... it was like they were supporting her... (Controlling her sobs) ...Arnavji, they have known me for almost all my life. I have been with them since I was only 8... they know me but still thought so bad about me... that day I wanted to explain them everything but they didn't give me a chance... they said my blood is bad... Arnavji, my parents are dead and it really hurts if someone says bad about them... it really hurts Arnavji..." She cried hugging Arnav.

Anjali who was standing at the door wiped her tears and came in and standing beside khusi caressed her hairs: "Khusiji... I understand your feelings... but in life you always don't get everything... Anyone at your place would have felt bad but you crying is making others sad... Please don't cry."

Khusi trying to control her sobs wiped her tears. "Di... they said my blood is bad... my blood is not bad... my parents were not bad..."

Anjali sitting beside her: "No Khusiji... your blood can never be bad. Your parents must have been the best that is why they had such a wonderful daughter... I would give up everything to make Muskaan and my unborn baby like you..."

Khusi cutting her: "No Di, I don't want anyone having a fate like mine... my life is useless..."

Before Arnav or Anjali could say anything Nani who too had come there said: "Your life is not useless bitiya... you are a gem, who has brought happiness in my grand-children's life... (Arnav got up from the bed to make space for Nani and she sitting beside Khusi continued)... I wish Ratna was here today, she would have been over the moon out of happiness having you as her daughter-in-law. But I know wherever she is she will be very happy seeing you."

Anjali: "Nani, aapko pata hai... Khusi has told me that Mama is going to come back to us... And I know she is coming back."

Arnav in shock and anger: "WHAT...!! What are you saying Di? And Khusi, are you out of your mind saying all those rubbish?"

Anjali: "Chote... don't shout. (Keeping her hand on her stomach and caressing it)... Khusiji said that Mama will come back to us in the form of our Rajkumari... (getting emotional) ...and I believe my rajkumari is my Mama only... she will be back."

Nani wiping her tears: "Haan bitiya... my Ratna will be back to me... she has to."

Anjali: "yes nani..."

It was getting too emotional inside the room and Mami who too was standing at the door said: "Sasuma, Anjali bitiya... when our little princess will be here then we will talk about her but now we need to concentrate on the princess who is here... right now she is sitting with her Nanaji... let's go to her and show her all the gifts that her Mama's have brought."

Khusi too had forgotten that she was upset because of the guptas and was getting emotional thinking how it will feel when Anjali's baby is born came out of her thought and said: "Yes... yes... let's go and give all the gifts to Muskaan and we have yet to see what all her Mama's surprise gifts are."

Anjali: "Areey haan... hum to bhul hi gaye the ki unke Mama ne surprise gifts bhi laye hain... chaliye chalte hain... chaliye Khusiji."

Khusi: "Di, I will wash my face and come. You all go."

Anjali nodded and everyone left the room except Arnav. Khusi was going inside the bathroom when Arnav said in a small and chocked voice: "Khusi... tumhe sach mein lagta hai meri Mama wapas ane bali hai?"

Khusi as usual understood Arnav's turmoil came near him and holding his arm said: "Haan Arnavji... hume pura biswas hai ki Mama, humari rajkumari ke roop mein hamre paas wapas ayengi."

Arnav: "How can you be so sure?"

Khusi: "I am so sure because I know that Mama loved you and Di unconditionally... she can't stay away from you for long. She has to come back and she will come back in the form of Di's daughter."

Arnav: "Will she be looking like how she looked before? Will she love me the way she had loved me?"

Khusi: "I don't know how she will look but she will love you a lot... as much as she has loved you before."

Arnav: "But how will it be possible? Before I was her son... now when she is born I will be her Mama... how can she love me in the same way?" he asked with confused expression on his face and Khusi found it too cute. She wanted to laugh at his expression but knew it is not the time. "Arnavji... so what if before she was your mother and now she will be your niece... the relationship doesn't matter what matters is the feeling attached to the person and Arnavji, motherly feeling is an integral part of a female, doesn't matter if she is a grown up lady or a toddler. Motherly feeling is there inside the girl just like her blood, you can see the motherly feelings of a small in the love that she showers on her father, on her brother... a girl doesn't become a mother only after giving birth to a baby... a girl is a mother much much before that... she is a mother to her father... she is a mother to her brother... she is a mother to her whole family... don't you see how possessive is Di about you? It is because she feels you are her child... in the same way when Mama comes to us as Di's baby she will love you... she will love you a lot."

Arnav: "She will love me the most. Won't she? Mama always said she loves me more than Di."

Khusi smiled at him. "She will love you the most..."

Arnav wiping the drop of tear from his eyes: "When will she come?"

Khusi: "Very soon."

Arnav: "I can't wait Khusi... I want her with me as soon as possible."

Khusi: "Have patience Arnavji... she will come at the right time."

Arnav: "But..."

Khusi: "No more buts... now go and give your gifts to Muskaan. Don't you want to be her favourite Mama? What if she likes the gift of Akashji and Nanheji more?"

Arnav: "NO. She will like my gift... (taking out a packet from the drawer) ... I am going to Muskaan... you come soon."

After Arnav left the room Khusi wiped the tears from her eyes and said to herself: "Di was right. One doesn't get everything in life. Devi Maiyaa took my parents from me but in return gave me such a nice family and husband like Arnavji. I must have done something really good to have Arnavji in my life. No one can be better than him."

In Nani's room

Muskaan was looking at all the teddies and dolls displayed before her in awe. She had seen the daughter of her employer playing with such toys but she has never dared to touch them and here they all were displayed before her. She didn't dare to touch them thinking what if they all got angry. She was just looking from one to another without touching them. When Khusi came Mami was showing her a big fluffy teddy bear but she was trying to move away from it.

Mami: "What is happening?? Muskaan does not like any toys... all labour of the Mamas gone waste..."

Nani: "Muskaan bitiya... aapko eie sab pasand nehi hai to kono baaat nehi, aap hamare saath chalna aur apni pasand se khilona lana. Thik hai."

But Khusi understood Muskaan's hesitation. She knew it is not easy for a girl who has worked as a maid all her life won't find all those gifts appealing. She would be feeling probably it is a dream or she is shown all those toys and when she starts to play with them, they will be snatched away from her. She needs to do something to make Muskaan come out of her past. Thinking and deciding what to do, she picked up a Barbie doll and sitting before Anjali said: "Di, look at this... isn't she looking like our Muskaan?"

Anjali didn't understand why Khusi was asking such a question but decided to play along: "Umm... somewhat but my Muskaan is more beautiful."

Khusi: "I know Di that your daughter is the most beautiful girl but I was thinking of creating our family through those toys... (showing the Barbie) ...this is our Muskaan. Now... (She looked around and finding an Indian Barbie dressed in a saree picked it up) ...this is Muskaan's Ma i.e. Di. (She held both the dolls together and looking at Mami said) Mamiji... aren't they looking cute... just like our Muskaan and Di." She made the two dolls stand together on the bed before Muskaan.

Mami: "Yes... yes... they are looking cute..."

Mamaji picked up a doll wearing western clothes and holding a make-up kit and putting it beside the two Barbie which Khusi had kept on the bed said: "Muskaan bitiya... this is your Nani... always painting herself."

Everyone in the room laughed and Mami making a face picked up a big ear and keeping it on the bed said: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... Muskaan bitiya this is your Nanaji. Total old man with long beard."

Khusi: "Muskaan Beta... now tell me who is looking like your Badi Nani?"

NK: "I will tell... I will tell..."

Akash: "Keep quiet NK bhai... our Muskaan will tell."

NK: "But I can..."

Arnav: "Shut up NK. Before Muskaan tells which one is Nani, I can tell which one is you... (he picked up a soft toy which was in the form of a monkey with a long tail and keeping it on the bed said ) ...this is NK. (Looking at Akash) ...Right?"

Akash: "Absolutely right Bhai... that is Muskaan's NK mama."

NK: "What the...!! Di... look at them..."

Anjali: "Enough!! You all keep quiet... now Muskaan will tell us which on is her Badi Nani... Bolo beta... who is looking like your Badi Nani?"

Muskaan looked at all the toys before her but didn't pick up any but kept looking at a big doll which was having a small teddy sitting on it. Khusi followed her vision and picking it up said: "This is Badi Nani??" Muskaan nodded but still didn't say anything.

Nani: "Are waah... ye hum aur hamare saath hamari laxmi. Aaabb... Muskaan bitiya ki Mami ko dhunte hai... pehle Khusi Mami..."

Anjali picked up another Barbie and showing it to Muskaan said: "This is Khusi Mami... isn't she cute?"

Muskaan nodded her head. Anjali showing another doll to her said: "This is your Payal Mami." Muskaan again nodded and everyone smiled including Payal who was standing a bit away from all.

Mami: "Now we need to find out your two Mamas... Arnav Mama and Akash Mama."

Surprising everyone Muskaan picked up a teddy wearing glasses and held it.

Khusi: "Are waah... dekhiye Aakash ji, Muskaan ne khud aapko chuna."

Akash beaming: "Of course... after all she is my niece..."

Nani: "Muskaan bitiya... now which one is your Arnav Mama?"

Shocking everyone Muskaan picked up a baby boy toy wearing only a nappy and holding a milk bottle.

Anjali in an amused voice: "This is your Arnav Mama?"

Muskaan nodded and everyone rolled laughing while the What the... of arnav was left unheard. Finally getting a grip on his laugh NK said: "Well done Muskaan dear... you have found the perfect one... Nannav mere bhai... this is exactly how you looked like when you were a kid."

Muskaan: "Nannav?"

NK: "Yes dear... your Arnav Mama is Nannav... you know what when he was a kid and when someone used to ask him his name... he used to say (NK cleared his throat and imitating Arnav's baby voice said) ...nnaannavv... That is why I call him Nannav.."

Muskaan looking at Arnav: "Inke kitne naam hai?"

Anjali: "Beta... inka to ek hi naam hai Arnav, par hum inhe pyaar se Chote bulate hain aur NK bhai unhe Nannav bulate hain."

NK: "yes Muskaan... isn't Nannav a good name?"

Muskaan shook her head and said: "No."

NK: "You didn't like this name?"

Muskaan again shook her head and Arnav said: "Look NK... even Muskaan doesn't like your weird names... so stop calling me by that name."

NK scratching his head: "But... well... I need some time to decide."

Nani: "Now Muskaan needs to find her Papa... let's find..." and was about to pick some toy when Mami interrupted: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... Muskaan bitiya has not met her father yet..."

Anjali: "Yes Mami... but how he meets her now? I mean he is sick and..."

Arnav: "Di is right. Muskaan will meet Jijaji after he recovers... and Di, the doctor has called to inform that a nurse will be coming in evening to take care of Jijaji, so that you can take care of Muskaan and your own health."

Anjali: "Okay."

Akash: "Mentioning of the doctor reminded me... Di, I have taken appointment with my eye specialist. In the evening we need to take Muskaan there."

Anjali: "Thanks Akash. I and Muskaan will go with you."

Arnav: "I too will come."

NK: "Me too..."

Anjali: "We are going for Muskaan's eye check-up not for a picnic. You two stay here. Only Akash will come with us."

Arnav: "But Di..."

Khusi interrupted him: "Arnavji, why don't you show us the surprise gift that you got for Muskaan."

Arnav: "Oh yeah..." He gave a packet to Muskaan and Anjali opened it for her and seeing the gift inside shockingly said: "Chotte...!! What is this?"

Khusi too in shock: "Arnavji, you got Muskaan a laptop?"

Arnav: "Yes... it is the latest model. Isn't it nice?"

Mami: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... Arnav bitwa is all set to make his niece as workaholic as him."

Nani: "Chote, Muskaan bitiya is still a child. Why do you want her to be like you?"

Arnav: "What the...!!"

Khusi: "Yes what the..., Arnavji, what will she do with it? I don't want our Muskaan to become a laad governor like you."

Arnav: "Shut up Khusi... Laptops are not only meant for working. She can learn through it, play games, watch videos and even study... Can't you all see it is a children's laptop."

Khusi: "Oh... okay... it was really thoughtful of you Arnavji."

Anjali: "Muskaan beta... aapko apke Arnav Mama ka gift acha laga?"

Muskaan stayed silent and NK forwarded her his gift. It contained a beautiful camera.

NK: "Muskaan dear... I know you will like it. You and I will together take photos of everyone. Okay?"

Muskaan nodded and finally Akash passed her his gift. It contained a couple of picture books of Animals, birds, places, fruits and vegetables.

Akash: "Muskaan, first you need to go through these books. Then we will get you admitted in school. Okay?"

Muskaan held the books with both her hands making everyone smile.

Anjali: "In all these I had totally forgotten that we need to get Muskaan admitted in School too... education is equally important."

Khusi: "Yes Di. For now we need to teach Muskaan the fundamentals at home then when the term starts we can get her admitted."

Anjali: "You are right Khusiji... today while returning from the eye doctor we will get books, notebooks and all other required things so that she can start studying from tomorrow itself."

In the evening a young lady arrived in RM, informing everyone that she is the nurse sent by the hospital. She was given a room next to Anjali's to stay, so that she can look after Shyam. Khusi was not happy with the nurse coming to RM because more than taking care of Shyam she seemed to interested in the male of the household basically Arnav and that was irking Khusi.

The next few days passed off normally in RM. As Anjali got busy with Muskaan, NK took full charge of the renovation and other works at Nirmala's place. Khusi too shuffled between Dadi and Muskaan. Dadi was recovering well and both Arnav and Khusi were hopeful that she will get well soon. Muskaan too was trying to cope up with all the family members. One fine day she had called Anjali "Maa" for the first time creating smiles and tears throughout the house. Anjali was over the moon; she cuddled and kissed Muskaan showing how happy she was. The only person with whom she got close other than Anjali was Akash. Nobody knew why she liked Akash, but everyday she would sit in the living room waiting for Akash to return and on seeing him would run and hug him and describe all the days' happenings. How she learnt the alphabets, new words or did some mathematics. It was true that both Arnav and NK would complain because their niece liked Akash more but they secretly liked the fact that Muskaan is getting out of her shell. Even Payal was giving more attention to Muskaan and that was the only thing that Akash liked about her these days. Slowly Muskaan was getting used to the family members her badi nani, nani, Khusi Mami and Payal Mami but was yet to meet her so called father Shyam because he was bed ridden and couldn't be dressed up properly because of the pus in the boils and none wanted to scare Muskaan more than she was already was from men. She would be normal before the men of the house including HP and OP but would get really scared if she saw any other male. She nearly fainted when the doctor who came to check on Shyam affectionately kissed her forehead. So everyone was trying to remove that fear from her mind.

One evening during dinner Arnav informed the family that he and Khusi will be leaving for Paris soon for the paris fashion week. Two days later, Khusi found herself in the plane along with her husband leaving for paris. She was upset because she had to leave Dadi but she had a bigger plan in her mind for which she needs to be in paris away from the whole family and she desperately prayed to Devi maiyaa for the success of her plan because it's success was not necessary only for her but for her husband and her whole family.