Master Chef! - Chapter 55 Posted on 01/03/2018 - Page 14

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Love you all...

Chapter 11 Khushi escapes to Gupta House!

NOTE - FLASHBACK IS OVER NOW and next chapter will be current story...

Present

"Khushi Bitiya, get up" Nani woke her up and forced her to eat something... NK and Nani were continuously on her side...

HP confirmed Arnav had asked for his dinner in his room and ate it... He is diabetic and Nani did not want another worry.

"Naniji, I am so sorry. I did not mean to do any of it. I am sorry that you also got scolding from Arnavji because of me..." Khushi was still very upset.

"But I thought he gave you permission to participate in the show...? Then what happened? Why did he react as if he did not know?" Nani and NK were curious...

Just then Arnav opened his room door and heard them all discussions things...

"I know I shouldn't have trusted him or that host... I shouldn't have gone there at all. I went to ask Arnavji. I was scared initially and gave all possible hints by asking about my dishes and presentation. Then when I kind of got the courage, he just gave me permissions and said ok if I call him Arnav instead of Arnavji..." Khushi told them what really happened.

"What? So you never talked about the TV show?" NK was shocked...

"No. He said he was ok with whatever it was and he gave permission once I called him Arnav. Plus he was really busy with his calls" Khushi whispered...

Nani and NK didn't know how to react now... A major communication gap between them...

"I shouldn't have trusted him at all. And I was so focused on my cooking and presentation, I never realized they could ask me personal questions... Or else I would have prepared for that with you NK... I would never talk about my marriage if Arnavji doesn't want it... But it's too late..." Khushi again started crying...

"It's ok, Khushi. I know his anger. Let's go to our rooms now and sleep" Nani asked NK to take her to her room.

"No way Nani, I will sleep with you tonight..." Khushi announced as she was hell scared of Arnav.

"Ok, as you wish" Naniji took Khushi with her.

Next morning was usual. Arnav saw her doing Yoga with Nani and then in the kitchen. Looks like she quickly got ready by the time he came back from his jogging... But then HP served breakfast though he could easily make out the breakfast was made by Khushi! At the table, no one talked about Khushi or yesterday's fiasco... NK and Nani both acted normal while Khushi kept herself busy in the kitchen and did not face him yet...

Khushi had seen the live news on TV and by now read the newspaper as well... She knew she was not wrong but then how things were perceived and how people talked about her made her feel cheap about herself and angry! They all thought she assumed someone else when they asked her about billionaire ASR being her husband... Though she said the truth, no one believed her and gossiped about the whole episode and made fun of them... Knowing her husband, she has to live with being joke of the day! Yet she could see why he was so angry too? All the channels made fun of him because of her...

Khushi was not sure what to do or say so she decided to avoid him until she has clarity on what's next and until the news dies down and he calms down as well.

Arnav did not talk much during or after breakfast... He just told Nani that he was working from home today and rushed to his room...

"Naniji, can I go to my Amma's house for a couple of days... I am missing her a lot" Khushi asked her knowing it was the best way to avoid Arnav. They both needed some space.

"Of course Khushi Bitiya. But only on one condition, let NK drop you to your place" Nani did not want her to go alone outside of the house... Plus poor soul with no support from her husband, Khushi was the one who was suffering though Arnav thought otherwise...

Khushi quickly packed her few clothes and basic necessities when Arnav was attending call in the pool area. She ran out the door and NK dropped her to her parents' house...

"Where is Khushi?" Arnav asked Nani as soon as he ate the first bite during the lunch. He knew it was not cooked by her...

"She went to her parents' house after breakfast and will stay there for a couple of days..." Nani informed him...

"Just great, hopefully she does not pull out another stunt" Arnav could not help but react... And he did not like her leaving RM and going to her parents' house but he did not say anything...

"Arnav, give her some credit... She is a wonderful girl and she did not do anything purposely..." Nani said angrily... NK was mad at the thick headed behavior of Arnav but decided not to say anything and he ignore him completely...

Arnav was working from home and he could see Nani and NK sitting in living room thinking and trying to kill time... He could clearly see they were upset with the whole episode and also missing Khushi...

It was fourth day and Khushi has not returned from her parents' house... Arnav could see doomed faces of Nani and NK after receiving a call from Khushi reminding them of their daily routine...

To add to misery, the breakfast was bland and coffee was basic, so not like dishes served by Khushi with so much enthusiasm...

"Arnav, today you will go to your in-law's house and bring Khushi back. She has been there for 4 days. Her parents must be worried sick in the situation she went there..." Nani ordered Arnav in no nonsense tone.

"She went there by her own wishes and did not ask me. So why should I go and get her? NK dropped her there right so ask NK to get her back... I am not going" Spat came a reply from Arnav. He was equally adamant...

"I would have asked NK if Khushi was NK's wife. But she is not. She is your wife and you should bring her back" Nani was sure what she needs to do.

"Nani, please stop... Khushi is not a child. And I am very busy to waste my time in trivial issues like this. Let her come back when she wants to come back..." Arnav did not buzz.

"I can see how busy you always are. You do not have time to save your when wife when she gets mocked by the whole world! You do not have time to save her honor or to stand by her and protect her from all that press, media making fun of her! And it was not her mistake that her husband does not acknowledge their marriage for whatever reasons... I am warning you Arnav, change and respect what you have before it's too late..." Nani raised her voice after a long long time on her grandson.

"You have been in this false news situation many times. And if you wanted you could have easily saved her by providing an official statement from your side... You have done that many times before at AR, to clean up any mess media has created... But you left her alone..." NK blasted him tightly fisting his hands to control his anger...

"Come on, it is all her fault. Who asked her to talk about me there? And what was the need to go to that TV show?" Arnav asked Nani arrogantly...

"Yeah, it's her fault that she has husband like you... It's her fault that she happen to speak out the truth. It's her fault that she is innocent and does not understand world's ulterior motives and leads simple life? I am done arguing with you Arnav. You will not come home with Khushi tonight. Find yourself a new place to live..." Nani walked over to her room with the help of NK.

Arnav banged his fist angrily on the table and left to work...

"Stop being a snob ASR... Nani also has a point" Aman tried to politely push Arnav in the right direction.

"Shut up Aman, I am not going to go to Khushi's house" Arnav banged his table again and got hurt in the process.

"Do you agree Khushi did not do anything purposely? She was busy cooking and did not even realize how the topic moved on to her marriage and you, isn't it?" Aman decided to go step by step to bring some sense to his thick headed boss...

"Yeah, I guess" Arnav had to admit. He has seen video many times and could see how lost and scared she looked after the fiasco... She was almost in tears and he did feel bad for her. Even while talking to Nani and NK, she was crying all the time saying she didn't mean to do any of it... She could not even enjoy her victory against Chef Rakesh. Chef Rakesh is a celebrity Chef and Arnav knew him personally as a friend and he knows how well Rakesh cooks... So Khushi achieved a big feat in cooking better than Rakesh that day but could not enjoy her moment and ran out the door...

"And do you want Nani to stay worried like this? If you do not go, situation will escalate to her parents' and Nani's level and it will not be good conversation. So you are better off sorting it out directly with Khushi, don't you think?" Aman put forward his second point...

"Yeah, I guess so" Arnav again agreed for a change.

"It's just a matter of going to her house for 5 minutes and bring her home. Go late after dinner and quickly out the door before anyone asks any questions... After all you can do this for your dear Nani, isn't it?" Aman pushed the last point to convince Arnav...

"Yeah, thanks Aman. It would be better if I go and get her... If Nani goes, it will be awkward situation for Nani as well as her parents... God, why marriages are so complicated, that's why I never wanted to get married in the first place..." Arnav did not hesitate to show his irritation to Aman, his best friend...

"It would less complicated and more fun if you stop acting snobbish and act like a normal caring husband!" Aman wanted to scream at his friend and put some sense in his brain but decided against it...

He quietly texted NK that situation was under control and asked to update Nani that ASR will go to Khushi's house in the evening...

"Phew Nani, how much hard we have to work for my dumb bro? What did you feed him before Khushi came in? Certain part of his brain and heart which understands human emotions seems to be frozen... Can we give him some shock or heat treatment?" NK spoke teasing Nani...

"It's all HP's fault... Arnav never allowed me to cook and HP served us..." Nani also joined in NK's joke...

"Naniji and NK Bhaiya, I did not do anything... I will never do anything against Arnav Bhaiya... Please do not complain against me to him... Or else he will scream at me and fire me..." HP was shivering...

"We will not HP, you please carry on with your work..." Nani sent HP to kitchen.

Nani and NK bursted out laughing...