NEW FF: Caretaker - Part 5 - Pg 127 (21/02) - Page 59

Part 5

He wouldnt lie he was admiring her in that Red saree since the time she had came out of her room getting dressed. She looked like a Red Fairy today who was meant to share joy and love with everyone whom she met. She was currently holding Palak in her arms trying to feed her and Palak left no chance in nuzzling her face on her breasts as if she wanted something else. It was a hard time for Khushi to hold on to Palak who was messing so much with her saree when even Buaji was not nearby. He was observing every minute details about her sitting in the Living room. Some different thoughts errupted within him which were not good enough at the moment. He was engaged to someone else already and Miss Gupta too was planning her marriage. It was wrong to even think all that but she was really looking so pretty and nervous both the same time that Arnav had to lose his control. He never got such errotic visions even for Lavanya, then why for Miss Gupta whom he met just few days back? He had no time to answer himself because he was already in the kitchen now.

She saw him there and found her help.

Khushi: Mr Raizada, would you mind holding Palak for a minute so that I can feed her? She is not ready to get down too. She wants someone to hold her in arms.

Arnav extended his arms to pick Palak while the baby denied going to him sticking to Khushi again. He kept staring at the Maasi more than the baby. Khushi started talking to Palak in kiddish tone kissing her lips .

Khushi: Palak maasi is not going anywhere. I have to feed you baby, go to chachu.

She properly handed Palak in Arnav's arms and in the process his fingers touched her soft skin but she probably didnt realise it. An electric current passed inside him whose effect was very new but he managed to stabalise himself. She happily neated her saree before him not caring much and then dipping the spoon in the bowl, she started feeding Palak.

Palak stared at Arnav's face so closely for the first time. She was patting his cheeks with her tiny palms but he didnt bother. He kept on stealing glance of Khushi in between and finally Buaji was inside.

Buaji: They came. They came titaliya. Stop all this and make tea for them. And give Palak to me, I will introduce her to them.

She took Palak from Arnav's hands and then walked out. Khushi's heartbeat increased realising she had to face the family in some time.

Arnav: You okay ?

Khushi: I hope so.

He smirked at her and then left outside to meet the family.

__________________

The family was good and broad minded. Specially the prospective groom Mohan.

Mohan's Father: Namaste Mr Raizada. I didnt know even you would be present here.

Arnav shook hands with him and seated.

Arnav: Where the matter of Palak's safety and authority is concerned, I had to be present there.

Mohan's father: Ofcourse. Now if Khushi bitiya is so much interested in keeping Palak with her, we cannot have any objection. All we need is a Bride for our Son Mohan. Nothing else. We are happy with all your conditions.

Arnav just smiled and concentrated back on Mohan who was trying to play with Palak but she was pushing him back. Buaji had gone inside to check Khushi and finding no one whom she could rely on, Palak extended her arms towards Arnav, a man whom she atleast knew by face to pick her in his arms and free her from these unknown people. That moment was really touching for Arnav because for the first time this baby was making initiative to be with him. It was like she wanted to be with him. He quickly got up and picked Palak in his arms after which she smiled and felt better.

Mohan's mother: The baby is very much attached to you Mr Raizada.

Arnav: Uhh. She is trying to be familiar now otherwise she is just close to her Maasi.

Palak chuckled when Arnav tickled her belly over her pink frock and she hugged his neck gigling. Buaji was out again with some sweets. She handed the sweets to the family and then picked Palak from Arnav's arms as he was getting a call. He walked inside the kitchen talking to Lavanya who was on the other end.

Arnav: I told you where I am so stop repeating the same questions Lavanya and I am busy, I will call you later after this is finished

He cut the call in anger but it vanished as soon as he saw Khushi biting her nails in nervousness. He immediately hit her hand but gently and she looked at him

Arnav: Its bad manners Miss Gupta. Stop doing that.

Khushi: Then what do you expect me to do ?I am already tensed and no one is helping me here. I make Tea usually in 5 minutes and today I feel I am making it for the first time.

Arnav: It happens.

Khushi: You wont understand all this. Only a girl can..

He didnt answer anything but kept on looking at her. He saw her shivering fingers while she made the tea for the family out there who were waiting to see her. The Saree wasn't helping her much in completing this task sooner but she still continued.

Khushi: Ek baat poochu? (Can I ask you something?)

Arnav: Hmm

He handed her the tea powder.

Khushi: Did Lavanyaji also shivered like me when you went with your family to see her for marriage proposal?

Arnav: Well. Uhh. I never had to go to see her specially. She is a family friend. We knew each other from long. Our families insisted us on tying a knot which according to me was beneficial for merging the Kshyap business with Raizada's and we got engaged. Nothing happened like what you are facing here today.

Khushi: Merging Business? That's why you got engaged to her? No wonder why she spies so much on you then. I doubt you ever made her feel loved anytime Mr Raizada. High time you start sharing that space with her.

Arnav: And its high time you make the cups ready and get them out Miss Gupta, the groom is looking desperate to see you. And seeing you in this Red Saree I hope he doesn't start dreaming your first night from today itself. Because I won't let this marriage fix until I am sure Palak is in safe hands. So stop advising me and come out.

Her lips curled forming "O" as she was finding it hard to believe that FIRST NIGHT part. Was she really looking that good for the would be groom to imagine all that? Or was it his imagination? Uff .. Why will he imagine? He is already committed to someone. She brushed off her thoughts and came out with the tea cups in few minutes. She was looking down all the time and everyone sitting there were seeing her. Arnav's eyes scanned Mohan's face and a jealousy rised in his heart seeing the way Mohan was oogling at her. He fisted his fingers unknowingly wishing to smack that man's face.

Khushi passed the tea cups and then sat beside Buaji. The family asked her many questions and Arnav was just checking the time. He didnt know why they were wasting time like this . They shared many things and finally it was time when Khushi and Mohan were asked to talk alone. Arnav's eyes were wide but he didnt intrude. He moved aside giving Khushi some space to take Mohan to the next room. She stopped when Palak started crying seeing Khushi wishing to go to her. Khushi was about to take Palak in her arms and then get inside with Mohan but Mohan's mother stopped her.

Mohan's mother: We all are here to handle the baby Khushi. You go alone and talk to Mohan or else how will you both concentrate on this marriage decision? That thing suddenly raged Arnav but he remained quiet because Khushi replied what he had to.

Khushi: Sorry Aunty but she is and will be my first priority. I dont think there is any harm in handling her when I talk to your Son.

Buaji widened her eyes gesturing Khushi not to continue this topic.

Mohan's mother: First priority? You mean we all will come after her? Look Khushi we dont mind you getting your sister's daughter in our family after marriage but that doesnt mean we will tolerate you ignoring us for her. We too have some demands from our bahu and some expectations which she ought to fulfil.

Khushi: If so , then I dont think you are at the right place Aunty.

She immediately folded her palms

Khushi: I am sorry but I dont think I agree for this marriage proposal

The family felt insulted and in anger left from the house even when Madhumati was trying her best to make them understand. Arnav could see Khushi in tears which she was holding in her eyes because she was busy caressing Palak to make her feel good. When the family left, Buaji came inside.

Buaji: Firstly you are not getting proposals because of Palak's authority Khushi. After so much search we found one proposal for you and you denied even them ?

Khsuhi: Because I dont feel they will ever accept Palak Buaji. Didnt you see how they clarified how much importance they expect from me towards them?

Buaji: Who wont? Everyone would Khushi. Every family , every husband will need that from you.

Khushi: I will give it to them but they will have to give the same care and love for Palak as well.

Buaji patted her own forehead in anger hearing her views.

Arnav: She is right Buaji. You dont have to think about the proposals for her if this is how they gonna treat the baby.

Buaji: Ohh is it? Now you will teach me what i need to do for my Neice? You are rich people and you will never realise what we have to go through for raising Palak and giving her a good life.

Arnav was angered.

Arnav: Who asked you to take her responsibilty then ?I already told Miss Gupta to hand Palak to me.

Khushi: Which I wont

She clearly denied again and Buaji could not stop speaking her heart out after this

Buaji: You dont wish Arnav to take the responsibilty, you arent getting proposals because of the baby and neither you have enough money to raise Palak, which leaves you both with one option. MARRY EACH OTHER .

Those words glued to the couple's mind like never before and they kept silence while allowing Buaji to speak,

Buaji: I am not joking. Just get married to each other and Palak will get everything. She will get her real family, she will be raised in a good family who will love her because she is their blood, you dont have to leave her Khushi as you will be her Maasi and chachi too and Arnav would financially secure Palak's future. All this can happen only when you both marry. Now you decide if this is feasible or not because I seriously need to get out of this house and visit the temple.

Buaji walked out while Palak kept on staring Arnav and Khushi's faces which were both the same.. CONFUSED.