Part25 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?"

"We officially submitted the leave application to our chief. He granted a day leave for us."

"If you had told me before that, I would have also applied for the leave. What would I do alone in the field?"

"Arnav has some work in Bank. That's why we are going."

"How do you go?"

"By NK's bike"

"Ok..."

Arnav and Aman started towards the town. After finishing the work, Arnav headed to the hospital whereas Aman went to purchase needed things from the nearby shop.

Hospital

"Happy Birthday, Khushi."

"Thank you, jeeji." Khushi hugged her.

Payal kept vermillion on Khushi's forehead.

"From where did you get this vermillion?"

"Didn't you see a small mandir on the hospital campus?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"I brought it from there."

Khushi took blessings from Garima.

"Amma, you are going to see me on my birthday."

Garima nodded yes.

"Jeeji, Amma should have medicine before the meal."

"Yes, let me give it to her."

That's when Khushi saw the water bottle empty.

"Jeeji, I will bring water." She said to Payal.

"Ok" Payal nodded.

Khushi went to the cooler to fill the water.

Arnav who was paying the bill in the counter saw her going with a bottle. Without taking the bill, he rushed towards her, not giving heed to the bill collector.

Khushi went to the cooler which was near the staircase. Arnav who came behind her dragged into the gap which is under the staircase. Khushi was about to shout, he closed her mouth.

"Shhhh... it's me..."

Seeing Arnav, Khushi's eyes softened. Arnav removed his hand from her mouth.

"App...? What are you doing here?"

"I came to meet you."

"Amma's operation is done. She is going to see us today," she said excitedly.

Arnav nodded yes smilingly.

"Happy Birthday..." He pecked her forehead.

"How do you know, today is my birthday?"

"NK said..."

Arnav removed a box from his pocket. He opened it. Khushi saw a ring. Arnav inserted it in her index finger of the left hand. He kissed her knuckle.

"Aru, I can't take it," she said in a gauzy tone.

"But why?"

"Amma will ask me about it. You know I won't lie."

"I don't want you to lie."

"What does it mean?"

"Tell her the truth... tell her about me. I'm going to ask your hand... in a week."

Khushi was stunned.

"Are you serious?" shock was visible on her face.

"Of course... what do you think?"

"I thought it will take time..."

"Why should we take time?"

"It's so earlier. That's why..."

He inserted his palm in her nape and pulled her towards him, gently.

"NO... we waited for births... not anymore...."

He lifted her hand.

"Let your mother know about us. Tell her the truth. Make her ready. I don't want any confusion when I come to your home. Understood?"

"I don't know how she would react to it..."

"Whatever... we have to open it up."

"But...why are you hurrying?"

"Don't you know? We can't be careless this time. Don't' know when and how we are going to face the unknown villain of our story."

"Yes... I too feel some bad vibes."

"That's why I say, clear our way. There is a bundle of desire in our hearts. How long would we be waiting for one another? I want you to be with me all the time...beside me... in front of me... beneath me... or... on me..."

Khushi closed his mouth and nodded no panting hard.

"Stop it... I can't take it."

"Get ready to take it... you can't resist me... not anyone could..."

She cupped his face.

"I know..."

She pecked on his lips.

"Get back to the village soon."

"I will be there tomorrow."

Arnav nodded yes.

"I have to go... jeeji will question me."

"Ok..."

Arnav gave her space to go. Khushi left the place taking the water bottle. Arnav saw Aman entering the hospital. He smiled at him teasingly.

"what?" asked Arnav.

"Won't you even miss a small chance?"

"What are you talking about?" Arnav frowned.

Aman turned his face to the left side where there was a glass door. Arnav saw his face and there was a vermillion on his forehead. Arnav smiled awkwardly.

"Let's go... we have to meet NK." Aman smiled.

Arnav followed him, wiping the vermillion.

In the meanwhile

Akash came to meet Garima. He greeted her formally. At the same time, the bill collector sent the bill with the compounder to Garima's room. Akash frowned seeing the bill.

"This is your bill, sir." The compounder handed it to Akash.

Akash frowned.

"Bill? But we were said that this is a free operation..." he asked the compounder.

"Sir, anyone could do the operation in free worth rupees eighty-five thousand?"

The trio in the room got thunderstruck. Eighty-five thousand?

"But, the doctor who came to the camp said it's totally free..."

"No chance at all... the operation was over and the bill also paid."

"We didn't pay..." Akash said.

"Something must be wrong... just check it once." the compounder left the room with confusion.

"What's this Payal? I didn't expect that Khushi would lie to me."

Payal was standing helplessly.

At that time, they heard, "LIE?"

Akash turned and saw Khushi standing with a water bottle.

"Who said I lied? Don't you know I won't lie?"

"What is this then?" he showed her the bill.

Taking the bill from Akash's hand Khushi looked at that.

"Eighty-five thousand? But they said it's free... and who paid the bill?" She asked shockingly.

"That's what I'm asking," Akash said.

"I really don't know...." She stopped seeing NK coming in.

"Nanne... you should have known the truth... (showing the bill) what's this? Is this operation not free? Who paid the bill? Who paid this huge amount for my mother? Tell me Nanne?"

NK ran his eyes on them.

"Who could do this for you Khushi?" he questioned her back, making her numb.

Khushi understood the question yet she hesitated to answer.

"Who Khushi? Who did that for you?" Payal asked her furiously.

Khushi gulped making herself.

"Arnavji..."

"Who is Arnav?" Akash questioned.

"He is one of the archeologists."

"But why did he give money for your mother's operation? That too without your knowledge? What that mean?"

NK was looking at Khushi nervously. Khushi raised her head up.

"Because he loves me."

"Whaaaaat!" the room shook by the trio's tone.

"He loves you?" Garima asked.

"I too love him"

"Whaaat?" Payal shouted.

"We love each other. He wants to marry me. He will ask my hand for marriage in a week."

Though Garima's eyes were being band-aided we can see the shock on her face clearly. Payal was looking at Khushi stunningly.

"Did you ask him for money?" Garima asked her.

"No... even I don't know that he paid for the operation. He himself took lead to operating your eyes."

"But why?"

"I don't know but I could guess," Khushi said smilingly.

"What?" Akash asked.

"I think, he wants Amma to see our marriage. That's why he should have done that without my permission because he cares for me. He knows what I want, no matter whether I say it or not."

She smiled with teary eyes. Not only NK but also Payal looked at her in amazement because they had never seen Khushi with such an attitude. She always hesitates to voice out her thoughts. They witnessed a new Khushi who looked confident and also firm.

To be continued...

Acceptance

"Are you in your sense, Khushi? How could you trust a man who you know for a few days?" Garima exclaimed.

"Amma is right Khushi... we can't believe a stranger." Payal said.

Khushi was about to say something, NK gestured her NO.