Chapter 29

"Thank you all so much for being there with me when I needed the most. Akash and Arnav side hugged Anjali, "Common di.. while Aman relaxed in his seat and Payal and Khushi gave " really not a big deal you shouldn't bother" smile..

The three couples sat at a restaurant  in a table booked for six by Anjali. Anjali sat in between her brothers, while Aman, Payal and Khushi sat in front of them. "No really, last one month has been quite an ordeal for all of us, each one of you have stood by me no less than family. Thanks really. Thanks Chote, Aman, because of you things have speeded up, otherwise imagine, how long these legalities can take. We have all been so busy with things happening we hardly got ant time, so lets forget about the past at least for a few hours and enjoy, this is a lively restaurant!! 

How could they all forget every thing? Everything was still running in their minds like a serial being replayed again and again,..

Flashback Start

When Anjali left her brothers and Aman to deal with Shyam, Shashi signed Payal to follow Anjali and stay with her. Though Anjali reassured Payal she would stay safe, Payal did not leave her side until Arnav and Akash took over after settling the issues. 

Aman was left to wind up the matter officially. As planned ahead, Shyam was forced to sign all the papers needed and handed over to the police, ASR making sure he would not be bailed or released for a good number of years. (Don't worry I have no plans to write second part of the story, 5 years later and continue!! We have already had too much of slime)

Anjali wanted all the family involved to know as well, it was no good keeping anyone in the dark. So, Khushi was surprised when she received a call from Payal calling them to come to RM straight from the temple. Khushi had joined her mum at the temple after office. When the elderly ladies refused, Shashi spoke to them. Well did they have any choice now. Buaji and Garima were quite out of place as this was their first visit and Mami wasn't very welcoming either. But they knew something may be the matter. Why would Shashi be in RM otherwise.

When Arnav saw Khushi, the first thing that came to his mind was of course anger. He was very angry. Angry she could cause so much of emotional turbulence in him and so many others and be oblivious of it. Anger at her innocence. More angry at his  anger on her when he knew it was wrong. But what other emotion did he know really.

However some of his anger had dissipated when without being asked she went to kitchen and got him a hot coffee surprising the Guptas and Raizadas. Taking the mug before any accidents he sipped his coffee soothing his burning nerves. Looking at Khushi "I never asked. Khushi, how did you know I badly needed your coffee.

Khushi snapped, "Oh yes I know you did not ask, but seeing that you have a headache, the first person you will find to blast is me. 

She stopped when Garima let out a loud gasp "Khusi. Too late to realise she was giving back to the great ASR in front of his own family and hers. Some were left wondering, when did Arnav mention his headache.  Some were wondering looking at the ease with which Arnav came close to her, her sharp reply, in general their casual attitude towards each other.  

For Nani, oh well, this was no surprise, it was only  "Pooja ka phal (The fruits of my prayers!!) and she wanted to see more of this.. (Just like all of us, what say)

 (Sometimes I feel dialogues in English aren't that effective as delivered in Hindi)

All looked at Anjali attentively when she asked them all to be seated. She nudged Akash to start, who somehow seemed to have gathered enough courage to narrate all the incidents. Everything was to come out today.

All of them were devastated. Buaji was numb with shock. Immediately she went to Khushi, smothering her with kisses and blabbering in-between, "Hai re Nandkishore what disaster I was  going to cause, "What a poisonous snake I had sheltered "Parameshwari what was I doing with you, "Please forgive me, please...

Khushi had turned into a stone. How could all this have happened and she had no clue at all? She was thinking of all the incidents that happened which led Shyam into their lives and all she could think was, the root of all this was, where it all ended was, Khushi running  in a huge palace where she got lost and landed in the arms of a stranger whose eyes she could never forget. How she had felt at home staring into the deep eyes. But where had all this led to,.. she stared at Arnav, probably she was expecting an outburst, but no such thing happened.

Seeing no reaction from Khushi, Payal and Shashi hugged her. But still she sat like a stone unaffected by all their concerns. 

Nani and Mami were seen next to Anjali, who by now had gone through another round of crying. She had gone into her self pity mode, seeing her near ones sad and showing plenty of affection towards her. She felt like a child.  She did not care if she was showing her emotions in front of all, but she felt home in her Nanis embrace and let out all the pent up emotions.

When all were sat digesting the news, Shashi addressed to Nani, "Devyani ji, Please forgive us, unknown to any of us we have been the cause of some disturbance in your household. I assure you, there has been no foul play from our side in all this.

Remembering all the insults about cheap girls and eyeing for the Raizada men thrown by Shyam and to some extent Arnav he continued, "It is often believed that when the girls are poor, their only aim is to hook rich me, by any means. Please don't put my daughters into that category. My daughters are never a burden for me, even if they don't get married, I don't mind, I will look after them. I have taught them the value of love and life, money is only a part of it, which they respect. They are happy with what little we have now. I swear on Devi Maiyya, my daughters are innocent.  If you still think they will be a threaten to your grandsons, we have no problem if they resign from the jobs and you can be at peace

Nani, Akash and Arnav echoed, "No. Then Nani continued, "Shashi ji you are taking this in the wrong way. I can understand all the insults hurled at the girls, but I have known your daughters, they are gems. Seeing the culture and tradition all of you have, we would very much like to be associated with your family. It was all Devi Maiyyas wish of saving my Anjali bitiya and you all had a part in it in some way. I must thank you all since otherwise we would all still be under the illusion that our damad was a good man. And the sooner we know the better in such cases"

She continued, "Shashi ji we have no say when it comes to the karma. Probably this was another way of Khushi meeting up her own brother as well. It is all Devi Maiyyas Wish

Khushi was still blankly sitting without showing any concerns to what was happening around her. Arnav kept glancing at Khushi concerned. He was no longer angry at her or rather anybody. His Nanis words did have some effect on him . His concern was growing with every minute. He wanted her to talk, like she never stops, shout, cry.. dammit anything, literally anything, but not sit like that he thought. When nothing happened, going straight to her, he commanded, though in his husky voice, "do I need to tell you I need another coffee? and waited. Then there was a sudden burst of cries and a flood of tears,.. she cried. Khushi was crying. She covered her face with her hand and cried hard. Payal hugged her tight. And Arnav relaxed. Finally. It was fine, he thought, she can cry today.

Nani and Shashi both saw what just happened , but wise they were, knew not to speak. Shashi was uneasy with the familiarity of these two, somewhat uncomfortable with their interactions. Though he knew nothing was happening between them, there still was something which couldn't be named!! He was worried if Khushi would get into trouble because of her naivety.

When she had stopped crying, Shashi signalled they should leave. Before leaving, Shashi spoke to Anjali gently stroking her head, "Bitiya, you can come and meet me any time you want, or give me a call, I will come to meet you, In fact I want to you come in 2 days time. I want to show you something Out of the blue, Anjali hugged Shashi and shed down all her worries. 

This incident had serious repercussions in both the families. Khushi's behaviour changed to a great extent.. Khushi was no longer her extra cheery , bouncy, bubbly self to everyone. It took some time for her to get back to normal, but she was now nearly back on track at home, trying to get Buaji out of her guilt train. However, she was hesitant, scary and wary of any actions she did when she was in the outside world. This behaviour was even more when she was around Arnav. She tried to remain aloof most of the time which did not go well with Arnav. How he wanted to see the feisty, challenging Khushi who never agreed to what ever he said..

 

Payal too kept to her job and home. The girls had heard too many insults and thought it was best to keep things professional and not interfere in any others business. This of course was not liked by Akash. Now they did not have any particular reason to meet as well. 

The next few days went in a hush for all of them. Arnav and Aman made sure all legal issues were dealt with utmost importance. All were now wary of Anjali's moody behaviour and they were very supporting. Anjali too tried to get involved in work and not bother anyone. She did try and put Khushi at ease who felt guilty somewhere in the corner of her heart. During this period, Anjali visited Shashi, who was keen on teaching her the art of sweet making and decorating,.. (No No Anjali will not be seen making jelebis whenever she is upset, Oh, that did not go down well with me really, khushi making heaps of jalebis...)

When Khushi heard what Anjali had told about her alliance with Karan, she was surprised, and she made it a point to speak to Karan and put an end to this. She had lost all interest in these matters and did not want to lead him into any false pretences. She did not want more insults being hurled at her family. She too tried to concentrate in her work and her dance lessons gave her the best way to release all her emotions.. Even if she did not want to agree, she liked working for Arnav as his secretary. She missed it when his secretary was back.. 

Flashback End

Anjali chirped, "mmm this place is good Aman, I should bring Mami too, she would enjoy. " Looking at Khushi, "So tell me Khushi ji, how is Kushal, any plans of him coming?, it is going to be new year soon, any plans of meeting up?

As was her normal expression these days, she replied soberly, "No idea Anjali ji, we asked him to come over, but he said something has come up and he may not be able to come. Now that my passport has come, he was asking me to go over for a few days,.. I am not sure.. but I might go if I can get some days off

Arnav sat bolt upright and exclaimed "What the.. how can you go..?. But was soon embarrassed when all of them narrowed their eyes and gave him look..