Part 24 Arrangements

Payal and Akash were at Khushi's place as NK conveyed them the message of Garima's operation.

"Payal will also come with you to the hospital," Akash said keeping Payal's bag on the floor.

"Haan, Khushi. I will be with you." Payal smiled.

Khushi also smiled at her. She was happy that her sister is going to be with her. On the other hand, she was nervous. Arnav can't come to the hospital if Payal is with her.

"I have booked a cab for you to go to the hospital." Akash took responsibility.

"Jeejaji, Nanne said he will arrange for one."

'No need... why should we trouble him? We can handle our family matter."

"I didn't expect that you will allow jeeji to come to the hospital." Khushi smiled.

"How could I let you handle the situation alone? Are not we here to help you?" Akash asked with concern.

Khushi and Payal smiled at each other contently.

"When is the operation, Khushi?" Payal questioned.

"Don't know Jeeji. Pre-operation tests are there. Tomorrow they will do it. The operation may be in two days."

"I will come to the hospital, tomorrow evening. I would have also come with you but I have an important work tomorrow morning." Akash said.

"That's ok, Jeejaji. Nanne is coming with us. Don't worry. He will be there."

"That's why I'm a little relieved." Akash smiled.

Akash left the place.

"Khushi, if you won't be here then who will provide food to the archeologist?" Payal asked her doubt.

"I too don't know jeeji."

"You should have gotten money from them right?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"How could you leave them for a few days without providing food?"

Khushi bit her nail.

"Didn't you tell them about Amma's operation?"

"They knew. They were also in the camp."

"It's not a responsible answer Khushi. You should have told them about your situation. Or you should arrange them food for three days."

"I will ask Shushant's mother to provide them food."

"First ask them and then go to Shushant's mother."

"Ok... I will just come, giving them dinner."

Khushi headed to Arnav's room.

....

"We have to pay the half amount before admitting her in the hospital," NK said.

"No problem. I will give you my ATM card. You can withdraw money from the town AMT center." Arnav replied.

"But that ATM center won't be in working condition all the time. It often goes out of service. What if it's not working? We have to find an alternative solution. Otherwise, she won't get admission to the hospital." NK worried.

"What about the online transactions?" Arnav asked.

"When I went to the hospital last time, they didn't accept the card. This is not a city. People around the hospital are not that much improved to use online transactions, yaar."

"What could we do now? Can we get money from anyone in the village? I will give INTEREST too." Arnav searched for an alternative solution.

NK was about to say something, he stopped seeing Shyam coming. Passing a crabby look at Arnav, he sat silently. Aman's face sparkled instantly, he gestured something to NK through his eyes. Understanding his gesture, NK said,

"I need money urgently. I will give you in two or three days. My relative needs money for the operation. Please arrange it for me." He asked Arnav.

Arnav looked at NK frowning. NK looked at Shyam and Arnav got the point. After all, Shyam is a gambler who walks with bundles of money.

"I'm ready to give my card," Arnav said.

"The ATM center would be out of order most of the time."

"What a pathetic situation, yaar... I have money in my account but I can't use it for my urgency." Arnav sighed.

"Why not you do an online transactions?" Shyam questioned.

The trio was stunned as they didn't expect Shyam would ask them.

"If ATM is not working properly then what's the use of doing an online transactions?"

"How much do you need?" Shyam asked.

"Forty thousand," NK said.

Shyam opened his bag and removed a bunch of money. He extended it to NK.

"Take it."

NK looked at Arnav who was stunned.

"You can give me later," Shyam added.

"Thank you so much." NK took the money from his hand.

Shyam nodded yes and left the room, stuffing the remaining money in his pocket. They knew where he is going.

"Would he have given the money if he had known the exact purpose?" NK asked.

"It's doubt..." Aman said.

.......

Shyam stood, seeing Khushi coming with dinner. She embarrassed, seeing him. He extended his hands, asking for the dinner bag.

"I will give them," he said with penetrating gaze.

"Actually, I have to tell them something very important."

"What's that, tell me. I will convey them your message." He said strictly.

"My mother's eyes are going to get operated. So, I have to go to the hospital tomorrow. I will arrange for someone to provide you food. Please adjust for a few days."

Shyam's mind worked fast.

"Operation?"

"Yes..."

"Will you go alone?"

"No, Nanne will come with me and also my sister."

Shyam got alarmed.

"How much money will you spend on the operation?"

"No money... it's free..."

"Free...?" He frowned.

"Yes, the hospital is doing this as service."

She was about to go,

"Khushi..."Shyam called her.

"I have to go urgently. You give dinner to them." He left the place. not waiting for her reply.

Khushi frowned at him and entered in. NK hid the money, seeing Khushi.

"Payal came?" NK asked her.

"Yeah... Just now, Jeejaji dropped her. And Jeejaji said he will arrange for a cab to go to the hospital."

"Ohh that's fine."

"Actually, I want to ask you something."

She said looking at Arnav.

"What?"

"Shall I ask Shushant's mother to provide you food for the next three days?"

"No need, Khushi," NK said.

"Why? What will they do?" Khushi asked him with confusion.

"My inspector friend took the responsibility to provide them food. You just concentrate on Amma."

"Really?" she asked looking at Arnav and he nodded yes.

She sighed.

"NK, show me the inspector's house."

"Yeah, let's go."

They left the place, leaving Khushi with Arnav. Arnav smiled at her.

"Take care of your mother. We will manage..."

Khushi nodded ok.

"I will also come with you but people may suspect us..."

"That's ok. I can understand."

Arnav removed a few five hundred rupees' notes and stuffed them in her hand.

"What's this ARU? It's not necessary."

"It is... Keep it. I know you can manage. But, there will be many expenses in the hospital. You may be bought medicine. I don't think hospital management won't give it free. Buy a thermos flask. It will help to bring hot water or milk. Get some fruits and snacks too. Don't know what the quality of the hospital canteen is."

Khushi admired his concern, smilingly.

"Take care of yourself too," Arnav said.

"Thank you...for everything," Khushi said.

Arnav pecked her forehead.

"Go and pack needed things. Finish it right now."

"Ok bye..."

"This is not done."

"What?"

"You won't be seen for the next few days...."

"So?"

"Give me something which makes me remember you all the time..."

Khushi pushed him smilingly and tried to run away. But she felt a tug and she pulled back. She saw her saree pallu was in Arnav's hand.

"It's not that easy to run away from me."

He showed his cheek, near her lips asking for a peck. Khushi leaned towards his cheek and about to peck, Arnav turned his face and her lips landed on his lips. Before she gets apart, Arnav turned the peck into a deep kiss.

Breaking the kiss, Arnav looked at her. She cupped his face.

"Take care... I will be back soon."

Arnav nodded yes.

"Bye..." she rushed out not want to get attracted to him more.

In the meanwhile

Aman and NK came out of the room while talking.

"Thank god, Khushi didn't see the money," Aman said.

"Yeah, she won't agree to the operation if she gets to know that Arnav is spending money for the operation."

"Yeah... but what if she gets to know? She may get upset on us for lying to her." Aman asked.

"You don't worry. I will take care of it."

They went to meet the inspector. Shyam heard their talks who was standing behind the tree.

To be continued...

Next part is available on Inkitt

Who Paid?

Arnav and Aman were ready to go to the hospital to pay the bill. Grima's operation was done. Today, the bandage from her eyes will be removed. And Arnav has to return Shyam's money. So he wanted to go to the bank. Taking the pan card and the identity card, he looked at Aman.

"Shyam, we are going to town. We will be back soon."

"Then what about the work we started?"