Chapter 44

Arnav and Akash returned from office and Muskaan who as usual was waiting for her Aakash mama to return ran to hug him but collided with Arnav who was walking in with a foul mood and because of the collision he lost his temper and shouted: "WHAT THE HELL... DON'T YOU SEE WHILE WALKING?"

Muskaan who has never been shouted upon trembled in fear and tears rolled down her eyes. Akash who was just behind Arnav came forward and picking up Muskaan said to Arnav: "Bhai, control yourself... don't shout at her."

Arnav tried to control himself but he was so angry that without saying a word left for his room. The whole family who by now had gathered in the hall listening to Arnav's shout were shocked to see Arnav shouting at Muskaan and especially Arnav angry after so long.

Anjali: "What has happened to Chote today?"

Khusi: "Di, your Chote doesn't need a reason to get angry. Gussa to unke naak pe hota hai."

Nani: "Something serious must have happened or else Chote would never shout at Muskaan Bitiya."

Mami: "You are right Sasuma."

Akash taking Muskaan on his lap sat down on a sofa and kissing her forehead and wiping her tears said: "Muskaan, dear don't cry... you Arnav mama didn't mean to shout at you..."

Muskaan crying and hiccupping: "I didn't collide with him knowingly... I didn't saw him... sacchii..."

Akash: "I know dear... Bhai is much tensed about something that happened in office or else he would have never shouted at you. He loves you a lot."

Anjali caressing Muskaan's hair and sitting beside Akash: "Haan Beta.., your arnav mama loves you so much... something must be very serious."

Khusi: "Yes dear. He loves you more than anything... (Wiping Muskaan's tears) ... today when he comes down for dinner you too shout at him... thik hai... (looking at Anjali) and Di, you too scold him okay."

Mamaji: "I too will scold him... how dare he shout at my Muskaan. We all will scold him."

Nani: "Hum to unke kaan pakadenge. Will scold him so much that he will never dare to shout at Muskaan again."

Muskaan nodded and hugging Akash buried her head in his chest.

Khusi: "Akashji... did anything happen at office? Why is Arnavji so angry?"

Akash: "Hmm... we had applied for a big project and we need to submit out model in a week but a sudden problem rose and we now don't know what to do... Bhai, is tensed for that."

Khusi: "I will go and see..."

Akash: "Bhabi, it is better if you leave him alone for some time. His anger will cool down on his own."

Khusi: "I think I should go..."

Khusi entered the room locking the door from inside. Arnav had thrown his bag and coat carelessly on the bed and was lying on the recliner with right hand on his forehead. Khusi quietly walked to him and slowly started massaging his head.

Feeling the touch of her fingers Arnav looked at her and said: "Khusi... please leave me alone for some time... I want to stay alone."

Khusi: "I can't leave you alone for one minute and some time is a far off thing. You will never have to stay alone till I am there with you."

Arnav removing her hands from his hair: "Please khusi... try to understand and go from here."

Khusi: "I am trying to understand... that is why I will not go from here... (Sitting beside him) What is it Arnavji? Why are you so tensed?"

Arnav sighed: "Khusi... you remember the project I told you AR construction was applying..?"

Khusi: "The one you said if you get it, AR Construction will be the no.1 construction company of India?"

Arnav: "Yes... that one... Now, I don't think we will be able to apply it."

Khusi: "Why..? You were so interested for it? All of a sudden what happened?"

Arnav: "To get that project we needed to apply it with the model prepared and its architectural diagram... but... now we can't do it."

Khusi: "Kyun..?"

Arnav: "The architect who was doing it for us, all of a sudden left his job because he got another job with lucrative salary."

Khusi: "How can he leave like this? He needed to serve his notice period...? How can he leave a project in between? Didn't you tell him that you can take legal action against him?"

Arnav: "I can't... In his job contract it was written that he can leave job if he pays the penalty... and he paid the penalty... seems like our competitor had well planned it before... Now we can do nothing... the design is not ready and no architect will be ready to take this offer of completing the work in one week no matter how heftily we pay them."

Khusi: "Oh... what will happen now? You will not be applying?"

Arnav: "How can we apply, when we don't have the model ready? Our company was short-listed for this project but... we will earn a bad name in the market." He buried his head in Khusi's bosom. "...I can't bear it that my own company will get a bad name... and after that probably no one will like to work with us... Don't know what to do..."

Khusi caressing his back: "I wish I could do something for you..."

Arnav: "No one can do anything... (remembering something, moving out of the hug says) ...Khusi, you can help me... yes, you can."

Khusi: "Me...? How...?"

Arnav: "Khusi, you are an architect... why don't you design and prepare the model... then we can apply for the project."

Khusi: "Arnavji... I... How can I...? I have no experience... I don't know how to..."

Arnav: "Khusi, you are an Architect and I had seen your results... you were the topper there... why you don't try... if you can do it then we can apply and also AR will be saved from getting a bad name."

Khusi: "But Arnavji... I can't do it... you need someone who is well experienced to do this... it is such a big project... I can't do it."

Arnav: "Forget it Khusi... I am not applying for it... the only option I am having now is to close AR construction."

Khusi: "WHAATT..!! You can't close your company only because you didn't get a project..."

Arnav: "It is not about a single project... It doesn't matter if we don't get it but atleast we could have applied for it... not being able to apply even when we are short listed will bring a very bad name... and I don't want the bad name of AR construction to affect AR fashion. So, I have decided to shut down AR construction."

Khusi: "If you can apply for this project then you won't shut down AR construction?"

Arnav: "I won't but that won't happen because in no case we will be able to apply."

Khusi: "I will try to make the model and graph... but I don't know if it will be up to the mark..."

Arnav: "You will do it...?"

Khusi: "I will try Arnavji... but..."

Arnav hugging her: "Oh... Khusi... I love you so much... I know you do the best... I have the details with me... you can start immediately."

Khusi: "Arnavji.., what if I am not able to complete within time? And what if I complete within time and it is so bad that they throw it away...?"

Arnav: "Khusi, you don't need to worry about anything... and you always say that we should always think positive, you just start working on it... I know if you do it, we will get the project too."

Khusi: "You think so?"

Arnav: "Yes... because I trust you... you will never let me loose." Saying he kissed her forehead.

Khusi: "I will try my best Arnavji..."

Arnav nodded: "I will give you the details... you go through it tonight. I will ask Aman to get all the materials required by tomorrow... you can start from tomorrow."

Khusi: "Ji..."

Arnav: "Thanks Khusi... I am so relaxed now... I will change and come."

He was about to go when Khusi said: "Arnavji.., I know you didn't do it intentionally but you shouted very loudly at Muskaan and she is very upset... you please talk to her and say sorry. She will feel better."

Arnav: "Khusi, I understand I have shouted on her, which I shouldn't have done but me saying sorry..."

Khusi: "Why...? What is the problem?"

Arnav: "Khusi... how will I say sorry, it is so difficult for me..."

Khusi: "Why is it difficult for you...? You say sorry to me, Di, Dadiji... then why not muskaan?"

Arnav: "With you it is different... and with Di and Dadi I am used to but Muskaan..."

Khusi: "Arnavji, it was not Muskaan's fault that she collided with you but you shouted at her... so you should say sorry... aap ko pata hai, you made her cry... Arnavji, if you shout at her then she will again go back to her shell thinking that we all are like her ex-employer rather than her own family... she was getting so close to us all but that court case... you are understanding what I am saying?"

Arnav: "I understand... but I saying sorry..."

Khusi: "It will be very easy because you know that you are wrong and saying sorry because you really feel bad for your behaviour."

The whole family was in the living room, Muskaan was still sitting on Akash's lap and NK was saying some joke to make Muskaan laugh. Arnav came towards them and kneeling before Muskaan said: "Sorry."

Muskaan looked at him and then again buried her face in Akash's shoulder looking away from Arnav.

Mamaji: "Our Muskaan Bitiya won't talk to you Chote. How could you shout at her? We all are angry upon you."

Mamii: "Aur nehi to kya... you get angry upon some other person and shout at our Muskaan. It is not acceptable. You say bye bye to your anger in the office only."

NK: "Yes Nannav... how could you shout at Muskaan? It was very bad of you."

Anjali: "Haan Chote... you shouldn't have shouted at her... see how scared she is."

Arnav taking hold of Muskaan's hand: "I am sorry Muskaan... I didn't want to shout at you... I was tensed about something and shouted at you..."

Mamaji: "Chote, you were tensed about something that doesn't give you the right to shout on Muskaan..."

Akash: "Muskaan dear, Arnav Mama shouted at you but look he is saying sorry and even everyone else is also scolding him... come on now forgive him."

NK: "Yes Muskaan... he shouted on you, now you too shout on him then you two will be even."

Muskaan looking at NK but trying to hide her face from Arnav: "Maa says we should not shout at anyone... I will not shout."

It made everyone laugh and NK said: "Di, you are teaching so nice things to your daughter can't you teach half of it to your Chote..."

Akash: "NK Bhai, is right Di."

Arnav: "Keep quiet Akash. (cuping Muskaan's face and kissing her forehead) ...Look dear, I never wanted to shout at you... I was angry and tensed about something... all is that idiot Aman's fault..."

Muskaan in a slow whisper: "Who is Aman?"

Akash: "Beta, he is your Arnav Mama's punching bag... when he doesn't get anyone then he shouts on poor Aman... and poor he, he takes everything silently."

Arnav: "Stop it Akash... don't make him look like an innocent fellow and me like a villain... he is not that bichara that you are making him to be... forget it... Muskaan, look dear... I am really sorry... I didn't mean to shout... I promise, I will never ever shout at you."

NK: "Nannav mere Bhai, hold your ears while saying sorry."

Arnav: "What the..!!"

Anjali smiling to herself: "Not what the Chote, hold your ears and say sorry."

Arnav made a face but still held his ears shocking everyone and said to Muskaan: "Sorry... I promise not to shout at you ever again."

Muskaan: "You will not shout at me?"

Arnav shook his head. "You won't shout at anyone."

Arnav: "At no one... won't shout at any one."

Muskaan: "Not at Aman also."

Arnav: "Not at Aman also." And that made Muskaan smile in turn making everyone else smile too. "Now, am I forgiven?"

Anjali: "Of course Chote... now that you are forgiven, Muskan will reward you with her sweet kiss. Haina beta?" she asked Muskaan.

Muskaan nodded and kissed Arnav on his cheek. He smiled at her and then kissed her cheek.

Mami: "Hello Hi Bye Bye... Arnav Bitwa became a bhigi billi before our Muskaan bitya... what no one could do; our Muskaan bitiya was able to do that."

Nani: "Yes... now our chote will never shout at anyone."

Akash: "Muskaan, do you know how much Aman will be grateful to you... he will be saved from getting scolded throughout the day."

Mamaji caressing Muskaan's face: "Why didn't you come before in our lives dear? This house has become so lively only because of you."

NK: "It will be livelier when Muskaan's sister will come."

Mami: "Now only Muskaan is there and this is the condition of our Arnav bitwa... what will happen when the little Muskaan will come?"

Akash: "What more will happen... Bhai will stop talking only..." getting a glare from Arnav "I mean he will talk very politely..." and everyone laughed.

NK: "And guess what will happen when Nannav has a child of his own...?"

Akash: "Nothing more... except that Bhai will become a puppet in his/her hand..." and everyone rolled laughing.

Arnav: "Enough everyone... I am hungry. Will I get some food?"

In the dining table everyone sat down for dinner but Khusi's appetite was lost. Arnav has given her a big ... very big responsibility and she has to stand up to the mark and that was scaring her to wits... On the other hand Arnav was too relaxed. He has handed over his problem to Khusi and was confident that Khusi will never let him down. That night he handed over the details of the project to Khusi and the next morning Aman delivered all the materials required for completing the project.

The next couple of days were hectic for Khusi. She seldom came out of her room and even if she did it was either for the morning aarti or just to get herself a cup of tea. She had her food in the room only and talking to the family was limited. No one knew what she is doing inside the room as Arnav hadn't told anyone about it. Only thing that they knew is Khusi is busy with something every important. Even Arnav wouldn't disturb her when she would be working.

It was night and Arnav was in the terrace with a mug of coffee in his hand thinking deeply when Akash came there.

Akash: "Bhai, you haven't slept till now? It is late..."

Arnav: "I know. But why haven't you slept?"

Akash: "I tried to sleep but couldn't... tomorrow is the last day to apply for the project, it is a huge project and we..."

Arnav: "Don't worry Akash. Our model will be ready by tomorrow morning... We will apply for it and I am confident of getting it too."

Akash: "Bhai, did you see what Bhabi has done and how much is left to do?"

Arnav: "No I haven't. But I trust Khusi. Whatever she will make will be a masterpiece."

Akash: "But Bhai..."

Arnav: "You trust me Akash. Don't you?"

Akash: "I do."

Arnav: "Then have faith... we only will get the project... you go and sleep now."

Akash: "Hmm... you too take rest."

The next morning Arnav woke up to see Khusi sitting on the recliner with her face in her hands. He was confused to whether she is sleeping or crying or laughing or doing what... He walked to her and shook her slowly. Khusi looked up to him and suddenly hugged him. "I am sorry Arnavji... I am sorry."

Arnav sat beside her. "Kya hua...? Why are you saying sorry?"

Khusi started crying: "Arnavji... wooh..." she pointed to the model and the graph on the poolside.

Arnav: "What happened? You couldn't complete it?"

Khusi still crying: "I... I did... it... but... it is very bad... looking ugly... they will throw it away without seeing it."

Arnav wiped her tears and walked towards the poolside to see what his wife has made and was left speechless to see the model.

Khusi walked to him and wiping her tears with the back of her hand said: "I am sorry... please don't be angry on me... I tried my best but..."

Arnav turned to her and pulled her to a bear hug. "Khusi... this is marvellous... it is best that I have ever seen."

Khusi: "You are saying just to make me happy. Isn't it? You know it is bad... very bad."

Arnav: "Trust me Khusi. It is..." there was a knock on the door and he leaving his sentence unfinished went to open the door.

Akash came in and said: "Bhai... the model... are we applying?"

Arnav smiling widely: "Of course we are. Go to the poolside and see what Khusi has done."

Akash walked to the poolside and he too was amazed with the design Khusi had done. Beaming with happiness he said: "Bhabi... this is brilliant... I never knew you are so talented... Bhai, I think we are getting this project."

Arnav: "Even I think so... Akash, you call Aman and ask him to take this model from here... and you too get ready, we will have to leave soon."

Akash nodded and was about to leave the room when Arnav whispered to him: "No need to inform anyone neither in family nor in office about who did this model. I want it to be suspense."

Akash the obedient brother nodded and with a big smile left the room and Arnav walked to Khusi, who was lost in thoughts. "What are you thinking Khusi?"

Khusi shook her head: "Arnavji... this is not bad. Is it...? I mean it is not very bad. Hai na?"

Arnav wanted to laugh at her expression but controlling himself hugged her and said: "Khusi... for me this is the best... now that you have got it done, forget about the result... for now enjoy... you have locked yourself up in the room for whole week and everyone is missing you so much... you better get refreshed and join the family... they are so worried for you."

Khusi nodded but then remembering something said: "Arnavji... I haven't met Dadiji for whole week... I want to meet her and even need to talk to the doctor too."

Arnav: "Okay... today when I return, we will go to meet Dadi. Okay." Getting a nod from Khusi "...smile now."

It was late at night when Arnav returned and directly went to his room, knowing very well that a very very annoyed and angry Khusi will be present there. When he entered the room he saw Khusi in the poolside starring at the sky. He went to her and hugged her from behind and said: "I missed you a lot Khusi..."

Khusi immediately turned and hugged him: "I too missed you a lot Arnavji... I was so worried..."

Arnav who had thought that Khusi will be angry as he didn't come home early and they couldn't go to meet Dadi was surprised. "Why were you worried?"

Khusi: "What happened in the office..? Were you able to apply for the project?"

Arnav: "Oh... no need to worry. Everything went well and we applied for it."

Khusi: "Did you get it?"

Arnav: "No dear... they will need time to decide to whom to give the project... they will notify us if we get it... probably it will take nearly a month. So nothing to worry for now."

Khusi: "Oh... why didn't you come early..? We could have gone to meet Dadijji... because you didn't return early and also your phone was switched off... I was so worried... I thought the people there threw my model..."

Arnav: "No one can dare to throw anything made by my wife... but you know Khusi, I missed you so much... the whole week you were so busy in getting that model complete that you didn't even talk to me properly..."

Khusi: "I too missed you... but I was trying to complete the model..."

Arnav: "I know... we need to make up for the lost time... don't we?"

Khusi blushed red but nodded and Arnav covered her lips with his...

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