Chapter 50

Arnav and Khushi were standing outside Dadi's ward when they heard the very familiar voice of Akash.

Arnav turned back to see a confused Akash and a nervous Aman standing. "What are you doing here Akash..? And how is Aman with you..?"

Akash: "I followed Aman when he came to take the bag from Di... I wanted to know what is so important that is making you stay away from home at this time."

Arnav nodded at Akash and said to Aman: "You can leave now... I won't be coming to office for a couple of days and don't call me unless it is really important. Rest other things Akash will take care of."

After Aman left Akash turned to Arnav: "Bhai will you please tell me what is happening here..? And why are you and Bhabi in this mental asylum..?"

Arnav without answering moved away from the door of the ICU to give Akash a clear look at the patient and Akash was shocked to see the person. "Bhai... she..."

Arnav: "Khushi, you stay here... Akash, you come with me... I will tell you everything."

Arnav: "Now you know everything Akash and I request you to keep everything secret till Dadi fully recovers."

Akash: "I promise Bhai. I won't let anyone know about it... and I wish Dadiji recovers soon... I too want to punish those who were responsible for my Bua's death."

Arnav: "I understand. You should be going home now. Let Di know that I and Khushi will be back soon and keep a watch on Shyam."

It was after a week that Khushi returned to RM and was excited as always. She came in and called to HP.

Nani: "Khushi Bitiya... you are back... Where were you all these days and where is Chote?"

Muskaan hearing Khushi's voice ran to the hall and hugging Khushi said: "Khushi Mami, you said you will never leave me and go... Where had you gone..? I had missed you so much."

Khushi kissed her face and said: "I too missed you a lot dear... but I had to go and guess what I have got a surprise for you... just wait for a few minutes and your surprise will be here."

Nani: "What surprise bitiya...?"

Khushi called every member of the family and once they gathered said: "Someone very special is coming home and you all will be very happy to meet her... but we need to prepare to welcome her... (to Akash) ...did you do what I had asked you to do?"

Akash: "Yes. The room beside yours is cleaned and have already asked HP and OP to cook what you have ordered."

Khushi: "Good... Di, will you please make Kheer for me... I really need it. Please don't say no."

Anjali: "Of course I will make but where is Chote... and where were you for a week... do you know how worried I was... and what surprise are you talking about?"

Khushi: "Oh ho Di... aap kitna sawal karti hain... aapko pata hai na, sabr ka fal meetha hota hai. So have patience... and Muskaan beta, you go and wear your best dress... our princess should look the best."

Mami: "Is some celebrity coming..? Then I also need to touch up my make up."

Khushi: "Yes Mamiji, you too get ready and help Muskaan too."

Mami: "Sure... sure... Muskaan Bitiya come with me." She left long with Muskaan.

Mamaji: "Who is coming bitiya..? The smile on your face says it is someone very special."

Khushi: "Yes, Mamaji. She is very special... special to all of us... Di, what are you waiting for... go and make Kheer... she will be here any moment and Naniji... you please get the puja thali ready... will do her arati when she comes... Akashji, Mamaji... please look after the decoration... the decorators are working at the gate and will then decorate the hall... Nanheji please help Naniji... I have got so much to do..." saying she ran to her room.

Payal who was standing there: "I will go and help in the kitchen" saying she went.

Nani: "What has happened to Khushi Bitiya... she is so happy and behaving crazily... who is this person coming?"

Akash: "Let's start working Dadi. Bhai will be here with her soon." And everyone got busy in their work.

Khushi entered her room and taking a saree went inside the bathroom. She needs to be ready before Arnavji brings Dadiji home. Inside the bathroom she thought of the past few days.

Flashbacks

The day after Dadiji had fainted, she had come into sense but then fainted again and the doctor has informed that it is probably because her mind is tired and needs rest. After long hours and hours of waiting she had come back into sense but had screamed for her Chote and the doctors had a hard time controlling her. She was injected and then she had fallen asleep. The next morning when she had waked up she was normal and had searched for her Chote and then when she had seen Arnav... she had madly kissed all over his face and hugged him tight not letting him go.

Arnav: "Dadi... I am fine... see nothing has happened to me... I am fit as ever." He said holding Dadi's palms.

Dadi: "I was so scared... I can't tell you how happy I am to see you before me... I thought I would die without seeing you again."

Arnav: "Dadi... you don't remember anything... I mean what happened in the past... in the last 2 years..."

The doctor who was checking the reports said: "Mr. Raizada, don't force her... she is still weak..."

Dadi: "What has happened to me...? And who is Raizada here... I don't see them..."

Arnav: "I am Raizada... that is a long story..." He starts narrating from what had happened from the day he and Anjali left Sheesh mahal to the way he found her and her recovery. "I am sorry Dadi... I changed my name, but don't worry the day I clear Papa's name I will change back to Arnav Arvind Mallick... I promise, I will clear Papa's name soon."

This all was too much for her to handle and she developed pain in her head and the doctor had to inject her to sleep. But when the medicine effect had left she had cried cursing her fate that she was not with her grand children when they needed her.

She had relaxed after some time and then saw Khushi who was standing near the door silently.

Dadi: "Chote... who is she..?"

Arnav: "Dadi... she is Khushi... my wife."

Dadi again cried but happily and forwarded her arms to Khushi and Khushi ran and hugged her. "I was so scared Dadiji... I thought you will not like me..."

Dadi: "How can I not like you... you are my Chote's wife... my Bahu..."

The doctor who was really happy with the way Dadi's health has improved said: "You should give credit to Mrs. Raizada... it is only for her that you have recovered... she made you laugh and now you are mentally stable only because of her... her selfless love worked better than the best medicine that we were giving."

Arnav: "Yes Dadi... I tried for over 2 years to make you talk properly but with Khushi you started to talk and laugh giving me hope that you will recover."

Dadi: "I am lucky to have a bahu like your dear... thanks for coming into my Chote's life."

That night while having dinner Dadi had asked about Anjali "How is Anjali Bitiya..?"

Khushi: "Di is fine... but you will be very happy when I inform you something... you are a great grandmother now..."

Arnav: "Yes Dadi, Di has a daughter Muskaan and is pregnant now."

Dadi got happy tears and Khushi went on narrating about Muskaan and how she is the darling of the entire house.

Dadi: "I can't wait to meet everyone... I have missed so much."

Khushi: "Now you are there, you will never miss anything now."

Dadi had recovered almost fully mentally but had lost the sensation of her legs. Doctor had said that is because of the mental stress her legs have been temporarily paralyzed but with regular physiotherapy and exercise she would recover BUT Dadi was not upset a bit... she was so happy to see her Chote safe and so excited to meet her grand-daughter and great grand-daughter that every other thing didn't matter to her. She had been kept under medical care for few more days and today Arnav will be bringing her home. Khushi had returned early so that she can make arrangements to welcome Dadi.

End of Flashback

Khushi got ready and walked down to see the arrangements. Arnav had called her couple of minute before to inform that they have left the asylum and will be reaching within 15 minutes.

Khushi was going hysterical and running around looking after the arrangements when Anjali made her sit forcefully and asked: "Who is this special person coming Khushiji..? You are so excited..."

Shyam who had now come down with the nurse said: "What all is happening here...? Why all those decorations..?"

NK coming forward said: "Jiju, we are giving a farewell party to the nurse... after all she has helped you so much..."

Khushi: "Is the nurse leaving today..?"

Anjali: "Yes, Khushiji. As Shyamji is fine now Akash said that there is no use of her staying here... so she is going."

Khushi nodded and the nurse hugged Shyam before everyone shocking others as well as Shyam who was not expecting this hug. "We will meet soon Shyam." And then saying bye to everyone she left.

Shyam looked at everyone trying to gauge everyone's reaction but got none except Anjali who was confused.

NK: "Jiju, it seems the nurse had got too attached to you... that is why she said that you will be meeting her soon."

Shyam: "She has helped me so much NK Bhai, and we have become friends... but Khushiji, where were you for so long...?"

Nani: "Damadji, Khushi Bitiya was with her husband, so she doesn't need to give us any clarification."

Shyam was surprised with the way Nani replied but still with a smile said: "I know Naniji... I was just saying that we all missed her... and..."

Mami who had now come down with Muskaan said: "Why were you missing her Damadji...? I don't think she has ever conversed with you ever... and you were always in your room... so why were you missing her...?"

Shyam thought it is better to be quiet as it seems he has got no luck to talk to Khushiji and that stupid nurse hugged him before the whole family especially Khushiji and now he will just stay silent and think about his actions afterwards.

Muskaan who was scared seeing Shyam but then saw that her whole family is there and running to Akash said: "Akash Mama look, Nani got me dressed in this new frock... I am looking good..?"

Akash kissing her forehead: "My princess always looks good... today you are looking like a fairy in this."

Anjali: "Khushiji, you still didn't inform me who is this special person?"

Khushi hugged Anjali: "She is very special Di... special to me, you, Arnavji... to this whole family... you will be very happy to meet her... she has been waiting long to meet you... just some more time and you will find it yourself."

The car horn was heard and Khushi ran into the puja room saying that she will get the arati tray.

Everyone gathered at the gate and Akash went forward to help his Bhai. Arnav got down from the car and from the trunk took out a wheel chair and then with Akash's help made Dadi sit on it. Till now as Arnav and Akash were standing in between the door and Dadi no one could see her but the moment they went behind the chair to push it, the entire Raizada clan gasped in shock.

Arnav pushed Dadi's wheel chair to the main door and then Khushi did the arati of Dadi and passing the plate to HP, hugged her. "Welcome home Dadiji... now the family is complete."

Dadi smiled and looked at the family with tears in her eyes. Arnav pushed the chair inside and said to Anjali: "Di... I told you when I will return you will never complain because you will be too happy to say anything..."

Anjali was literally paralysed with shock and Khushi had to shook her to come out of trance. "Cho...ote... Daa..di..."

Arnav: "Haan Di... Dadi... our Dadi..."

Anjali looked at Dadi who opened her arms and Anjali kneeling down hugged her tight and wailed... dadi too cried with her. Everyone too cried with them but had lot of questions too.

They would have continued crying had Muskaan not opened her mouth "Who is she..? Why is Maa crying...?" she crying asked Khushi because her Maa was crying.

Khushi: "Beta, she is your Maa's Dadi... your Badi Dadi..."

Anjali wiping her tears "Badi Nani Khushiji..."

Muskaan: "But I already have a badi nani... are there two badi nani's..?"

Dadi smiled against her tears seeing Muskaan, she couldn't believe that she is a par-nani now. "Come here Bitiya... come to me..." Muskaan walked to her and Dadi kissing her face said: "I am your maa's Dadi... you can call me anything that you want..."

Muskaan: "I will call you Badi Nani... I have two Mami, and now will be having two Badi Nani too." Saying she kissed Dadi's cheek. "I like you... you are nice."

Dadi: "I have to be nice... because I am Muskaan's badi Nani."

Dadi smiled at her and then saw every other member standing there happy yet shocked. Each of them hugged her and cried out of happiness.

Finally after long time Mamaji asked: "Chote... how come Maasiji... I mean we all thought that... then how...?"

Arnav: "That is a long story Mamaji... we all thought that Dadi is dead but she was very much alive..." he narrated how he found Dadi and her condition and how Khushi's plan helped her in regaining her memory.

Nani hugged Khushi "Bitiya... I can't say how happy I is that you are a part of my family... Ratna must have done some good deed that you became her bahu..."

Khushi: "Aisa kuch nehi hai Naniji... I have really done some good deed that I became a part of this wonderful family."

Anjali: "Dadi, now I understood why Khushiji asked me to make Kheer... that is because you always love to eat the kheer that I make."

Payal: "Di, let's all have food... or else it will get cold."

Dadi: "Who is she..?"

Nani: "Sumi, I have to introduce two members of this family to you... This is Payal, Akash bitwa's wife..." Payal touched Dadi's feet seeking blessing and then nani pointed to NK "This is Nanhe bitwa... Manorama's nephew and a very important part of this family."

NK in his usual attitude walked to Dadi and after touching her feet forwarding his hand said: "I am Nandkishore... you can call me NK... short and sweet."

Dadi laughed at the boy before her and said: "I would prefer to call you Nanhe, just like Devyani calls you."

NK: "Okay, as you wish..."

Dadi: "Anjali Bitiya... where is your husband..? I want to meet him too."

Arnav: "He is here Dadi, (pointing to Shyam) ... that is Jijaji... Shyam Manohar Jha."

While returning home, Arnav had briefed her about Shyam and his nature. Dadi had undoubtedly got sad but then decided to stay strong and not let him harm her grand-daughter and her kids.

Dadi: "He is Damadji...!! But I thought he is a servant in this house..."

Anjali: "No Dadi, that is my husband."

Shyam came forward and touched Dadi's feet and she nodding said: "Hope you do something to change yourself and look like Anjali Bitiya's husband or else everyone will think that Anjali Bitiya married a servant and that is not good for my family's image."

Shyam thought she is talking about his physical appearance but rest others understood what she is implying at.

Anjali: "Dadi, let's have food... I have made Kheer, and Khushiji in great hurry has made Jalebi for you and all your favourite dishes are made... come."

Arnav pushed Dadi's chair and the whole family went to the dining table. At the table everyone settled with Arnav sitting beside Dadi and when the food was served everyone started having their food except Arnav who had not touched his food. Khushi seeing it asked: "What happened Arnavji..? Why are you not eating anything...? Do you need something else..?"

Arnav shook his head but still didn't touch his food.

Anjali: "Are you not feeling well Chote..? What is the problem..?"

Dadi looked at Arnav and then breaking a piece of poori and dipping it in curry took it to Arnav's mouth and he like a child opened his mouth to have it. Everyone smiled and Anjali said: "Nani, do you remember Chote would never eat by hands when Dadi would be present... he would always want Dadi to feed him. (to Khushi) ... Khushiji, you know Chote would never eat by hands even at the age of 14."

Khushi: "Seems he hasn't changed Di... at 28 also he wants his Dadi to feed him... I don't understand who is a child here, your Chote or Muskaan..."

NK: "You are right Khushi Bhabi... see our Muskaan is having food by her own hands and this Nannav wants to be fed... Nannav, everyone calls you chote doesn't mean that you are really small."

Akash: "I agree with NK bhai... bhai you should be eating by your own hands... you are grown up now."

Dadi: "Enough you all... my Chote will always remain a kid to me... and I have got this opportunity to feed my Chote after so long... will always feed my Chote like I used to do before."

Arnav smiled and opened his mouth for another morsel.

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