He waved bye to his friend, Jack who dropped him by his bike near Mansion's gate and turned back to get inside. he had a nagging feeling that he forgot something, but what?

Any Message from di?

No, just checked the phone

Dadi asked him to get something?

No, he had asked HP to get the listed things yesterday itself

Akash wanted his signature on some papers?

No, he is away with rest of the family

He had an appointment with his Dad?

No, Hitler already gave him an earful. And that's supposedly enough for a week's​ quota.

Wait, What? Appointment?

Shit!

he had fixed an appointment for the damn abortion. How could he forget it? He mentally kicked himself for drinking more than he can actually handle.

"Tomorrow, for sure" he thought

All the lights came to life, Just when he entered through main door. Whole of the family was standing as if they are just gonna scream "surprise"

Well it's quite a Shocker for him!

Was it his birthday?

No ways! For starters, he didn't drink -That- much to forget his own birthday.

Second and Most important thing of all, No one ever celebrates his birthday..! He can sulk all about that for another time.

For now, he had won today's match! Perhaps, they want to congratulate him?

Anyhow, The way they are staring at him says otherwise, bringing him to reality!

Whom are you kidding, Raizada? They don't even have an iota of interest in your win, let alone the match.

"You came so soon, beta!" Sarcasm dripping out of his dad's mouth

"Nani. When did you all came back?" He straight away went towards his Nani, hugging her so that he can totally ignore his Dad

"Afternoon" Nani replied patting his back but it wasn't late when she scrunched her nose parting from him

"You drank" That was more of a statement than a question

Oh.. oh .. bad timing Raizada. He had forget about this while giving a Royal ignorance to his Dad. Surely, a long lecture is on it's way!

But nothing as such happened.

"Come here buddy" it was Akash with his open arms

Now, did Akash wanna check that he really drank or not?

"Uggh" Arnav hugged him anyways

"Congrats Arnav" Payal quipped in

"Yes. Yes. Congo-ra-tu-lae-tions Arnav bitwa" Mami and her unique way of espeaking Hinglish

Wait. did they just congratulate him?

"I'm proud of you" Mama Patted his back

So much for coming home late and that too after drinking..!

"But. Are you sure about this bitwa?" his Dadi Interrupted his thoughts making him more confuse

WHAT as in What are they talking about?

waiting for him till late night

Hugging him even after knowing he's drunk instead of scolding him for the same

Congratulating him

Asking was he sure

Shit .. Shit .. Shit ..!

Did all this mean, They Know it?

Well, Well..! Everyone's​ Present here, except her.

So isn't it obvious, that she revealed it to them?

How could she?

Didn't he warn her not to say anything to anyone?

"Hmm. I .. I think, I can explain.."

"No Chote, we obviously don't want any explanation on this. It's really very much for us, that you accepted to take the responsibility"

His di think, he's OK with this added responsibility?

Didn't Khushi told them that he isn't ready for it?

"For the first time, I'm getting a good news from you" his Dad seemed not so himself

He still can't believe that his Dad didn't gave him lectures on his folly. You are dreaming Raizada. Wake up! Wake Up!

"Didn't I told you, that you are just stressing yourself. See my grandson's​ life is going just about fine" Dadi was saying to Dad that she was always right about him

"Only time will say that"

No. He has to clear their Misunderstanding. He isn't ready.

"Go Arnav, take rest. Tomorrow is a big day for you" Mama pushed him a bit towards stairs to make him ignore dad's remark

"No" his voice raised without his own intention

"Uggh Arnav, as much we want. we can't really celebrate now..! We've work tomorrow, so gotta sleep" Akash was literally yawning

"I mean. I'm not.."

"Yes Chote. We all know, you are not ready as yet" his di was always understanding

They know?

Still they waited for him to congratulate?

What the hell is happening?

Probably he's drunk too much after the win. This is a dream, just Wake up!

"Don't worry bro. We won't make you work tomorrow itself. It will just be introduction for starters" Akash told as matter of fact

Work?

Did Akash Finally lost it?

He wanted to introduce him to something which is not even born!

This is the Obvious result of too much workload on him.

Good that he took this much needed break for a week.

"No Akash. We won't introduce him. He'll start off as a mere employee" his dad told with a smirk

Everyone glanced at him with pity. For God Knows What?

But, Employee?  Why are they talking  in a business language?

"But"

"No Maa. I don't want any arguments on this" his dad replied to an upset Dadi

"Alright. Our Chote will just do fine in whatever he takes up, right?" Nani held his arm

He just nodded without understanding the head or tail of it. Nani blinked in response and Dadi sighed with relief.

What has he gotten himself into?

"So Finally You are Ready to Join Office" Anjali gave him a bright smile raising both her eyebrows

Office?

Oh crap!

They all are misunderstanding him.

They think he wanna join office

So, this was all about that!

Who the hell gave them this idea?

"Di, Who the hell.."

"Chote" Anjali stopped him just in time and then continued

"look, Everyone's so Happy for you. And Especially Khushiji, you can't even imagine the look on her face, when she told everyone that you are ready to join office" she was smiling from ear to ear

So Khushi told them!

But why did she lie? There's no such thing he told her. Hell, he didn't even talk about office or work anytime!

Did she wanted to take a revenge on him for the abortion thing!

Thank God, At least she didn't told the Family about her Pregnancy..!

"Where's Khushi?"

He would talk to her and explain that her tricks won't work on him. Then tomorrow first thing in the morning, he'll explain everyone that they have misunderstood him. As it is, he isn't up for any new drama Now!

"She was having a little headache, that's why slept early"

Ow.. oww.. he has to wait till the morning!

"Good night all" he went away from there after everyone gave him a smile

It really felt too much odd to receive everyone's warmth! He felt special for a moment. Though Khushi might have did this to trouble him but it didn't troubled him to the least!

"Chote" he heard, his di calling​ him just as he was about to get in his room

Not again

"Yes di"

"Khusiji is in my room"

"What? Why?"

Is this another thing to trouble him? Seriously? What's with Khushi? She wasn't like this before! She won't even dare to oppose him for anything. What happened to her suddenly?

"Walk me to room"

"Sure di"

"So, are you really ready to join office?" She asked while holding his hand

"di. I really don't know.. ok, I won't hide it from you... I .. I actually don't know, why Khushi said so.."

"I said so.."

"Ya. You said so because Khushi said so.."

"No Chote, Khushi said so because I told her to say so.."

"What?" He stopped walking ahead and faced her

"Yes"

"Why?"

"Because, I want to see you being a responsible person"

"I don't understand di" he sighed

"I should have done this way before" she turned back and stepped towards the open balcony

"Did what?" He followed her

"Chote we both know, I've always hid your mistakes. But this time I can't let you do it. This time, it's just not only about you. It's also about your wife and baby" she made him sit in the swing and sat beside him

"What do you mean di?" He gulped expecting his guess to be wrong

"I know, you want to abort the baby" she whispered

"No. She didn't told me anything.. I forced her to say.." she cleared him before he can misunderstand

"I'm not ready for the responsibility" he bowed his head down as if he's defeated a big time

At the moment, He just looked the same eight year old boy who lost his mother on his own birthday and sat with his di, bowing his head down without shedding a single tear. Anjali just wanted to embrace him but alas, she can't do so this time! She has to be a stone so that she can show him his mistake, Period.

"There's always a beginning for everything, you will learn" she looked up to the sky

"But.."

"Look at me Chote. What do I have? What won't I do to be at your place? A loving Partner, A baby on it's way, whom you call as your own" A lone tear escaped her eye

"di" he hugged her sideways feeling so desperate to take away all her pain

"I'm fine" she sniffed turning stern again

"Chote. Life doesn't give us a Chance every time. But when it does, we've to make the best of it.. for, not everyone gets the chance again"

"I understand di, but it's not easy.. you know.. I'm not perfect .. I ..  I just don't want  the baby .. My baby to ... to become like me" he turned his face other side and continued "I don't want it to call me careless or irresponsible, like everyone else does. I .." he chocked "I feel helpless di. I will ruin it's life. It's better he don't come to me"

He was momentarily shocked when his di turned his face and gave him a smile.

"I know. I know you in and out. I know your reason. That's why I want to make you responsible. Prove yourself Chote. Make yourself responsible until the baby is born"

"No di. I'm still on my words.. I can't.. I won't.."

Tear after tear escaped his Di's eye which made him restless

"You used to obey every word of mine, why don't you understand me Now?"

"I'm sorry di"

"There's no way. I've to tell you the truth"

"What Truth?"

"Chote. I've hidden something from everyone. I .. I just didn't wanted to make you all upset .. I "

"What's the matter di?" he held her shoulder seeing raw pain in her eyes

"That day, I not only lost Shyamji. I ..  I lost her too"

"Her?"

"I lost my baby, Chote" She hugged him tight and started shaking with sobs while he sat still

His di was expecting?

And, No one knew about it?

"I was waiting. Waiting Chote.. I was waiting for him to come, so that I can share this with him .. I was so excited .. I wanted him to know first but.  But he never came .. he .. he left me Chote .. he didn't knew about our rajkumari"

"di" he whispered hugging her tight, trying to stop his cries and consoling her simultaneously

"I was in shock for weeks, I forgot about rajkumari. I didn't take care of her. It was all my mistake .. I .. I was so careless Chote. But when I came out of shock, it was too late. She also left me.. she went to her papa. She was angry with me na, that's why! I .. I was on the verge of losing my life too.."

"No di" Arnav closed his eyes tight, he can't even imagine any bad happening to his di

"If not for Khushiji, I would have..  She brought me to life, Chote. She .. she helped me a lot. I don't want her to feel sorry for helping me .. please give her the happiness, she deserves .. please.. don't snatch the child from it's mother.. think about her Chote.. it's really hard.. hard to lose someone so close" she cried hysterically

"No di.. I ... I won't snatch the baby .. relax di. I won't do any mistake as such"

"Chote, don't lose something. Which I already have lost .. promise me .. promise, that you will become a responsible person and take care of your wife and child with all the love" She asked after wiping her tears and sitting straight

"I .. I promise di" he whispered in a low voice

He won't let his di down.

He won't Snatch Khushi's rights

He won't lose the baby!

.....

He stepped in di's room to see Khushi sleeping uncomfortably, she was visibly frowning. He picked her in his arms and gave his di an assuring smile.

He will take care of his wife and baby!

But As we all know, there's a saying "Some things are easy to Say but hard to Do and even harder to Realize"

___________________

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Love ❤
Uzma.