Part 44

Garima embarrassed seeing wrathful Arnav who was holding her hand.

Arnav was here to meet Buaji as she invited him that day morning. He heard Garima's accusation from outside which shocked him to the core. He never wanted them to know about Khushi's stay at his house but it already slipped out of his hands. His mind worked fast. He has to save Khushi from the blame. He couldn't let her bow down at any cost because it was him who is blameworthy here. He couldn't let her be humiliated for the mistake she never did.

Garima: I don't want to hear anything from you. I already heard enough about you. Arnav: Ohhh really? From whom did you hear? Is that person more trust worthier than Khushi? 

(Garima was tongue-tied) I can understand what you are undergoing right now. And you are not wrong though.

He didn't waste a minute after that. He removed his wallet and Ratna's letter from that. He handed it to Garima.

Arnav: Read it.

Garima opened the letter and read it.

Dear Chotte,

I want to tell you something very important. I liked a girl very much. She is my friend Garima's daughter Khushi, My Chutki. I want her as my bahu. I believe you will like her. Here is a picture of me and Garima together.

Your's loving mother.

Ratna Singh Raizada.

Garima's eyes tear up seeing the pic. Yes. They captured this pic after their schooling. Garima struggled to stand. Arnav made her sit on the couch.

Arnav: When I came to Lucknow last time, I saw Khushi and liked her very much. But she didn't like me because she was already engaged to someone. She was so stubborn in her decision. But I can't let her go easily because I felt some unknown connection with her. I decided to change her mind. For that, I needed a chance, just a single chance to show my love. I came to know that she was in need of money for your treatment. I used it in my favor. I offered her a job through someone. She happily agreed for that. After coming to Delhi, she was not ready to stay there in my house. But I made her stay, giving your operation as a reason. I thought she would change her mind seeing my wealth but nope. She didn't change her mind until the last. But two days before, I got to know about her fiancé through my men who is none other than me. I searched my mother's cupboard because I know if she wanted Khushi as her bahu then she must have left something related to it. she didn't disappoint me. I found this letter in her cupboard. I didn't say that to Khushi because I know she won't believe me. So I came here before she reaches here. (pause) Didn't you notice shock on her face when she saw me here? (Buaji nodded yes) And still she is showing disinterest in me you know that well.

He looked at Khushi who understood what he was trying to prove.

Arnav: you no need to trust me aunty. But won't you believe your daughter and your upbringing? She stayed with me just because she wanted to save your life, because she loves you so much. Please don't doubt her love for you and her chastity. No one can near her because she is fire. She will burn the person before he touches her.

Garima cried like hell. Khushi sat beside her to console.

Khushi: Amma please don't cry. It's ok, I can understand. I'm not upset with you.

Garima: I'm sorry, I believed someone over you.

Khushi: Leave it Amma. Forget everything. Don't stress yourself. Please.

Buaji: Haan Garima, don't stress yourself.

Garima wiped her face off.

Garima: I'm sorry for misunderstanding you guys. But who is the woman? Why did she accuse you?

Arnav: I have many rivals in the business world aunty. You just leave it on me. I will handle it. Now tell me why did you call me?

Buaji: We thought to do the rituals for you too babuwa.

Arnav: It's ok Buaji. You finish it as much as possible. I don't want to give any trouble.

Garima: Are you angry with me?

Arnav: No aunty. Actually I'm bothering someone. (he said looking at Khushi) She must be angry with me for my deeds. I don't know what she is thinking. (he said really feeling sad)

Buaji and Garima looked at Khushi who was looking at him frowning.

Arnav(hesitatingly): Khushi I'm sorry....

Khushi(sternly): You don't need to say anything.

Buaji felt sad about Arnav. But Arnav knew in which meaning she said that.

Buaji: Khoosi, let's forget everything. Don't be angry with him. I agree he did wrong. But you can forgive him for your Ratna aunty right?

Arnav: Do you know Buaji, she made me suffer in stomach ache adding a lot of chilly powder in dishes because she didn't want me to eat her hand made food.

Buaji: Arrey Sankadevi, from where did you get this arrogance? Is this what we taught you?

Arnav: It's not her mistake Buaji. I shouldn't have taken advantage of the situation.

Buaji: But you paid for her mother's operation, beyond our imagination.

Arnav: I think that's why she left me alive. He said smilingly.Buaji was shocked seeing Khushi numb.

Buaji(shockingly): Hai Re Nandkisore, I don't know there is a "bandit queen" hiding inside this Sankadevi.

Garima and Buaji looked at her awfully. Arnav gestured her to go to your room. Khushi left to her room hurriedly. Arnav felt guilty for Khushi. She faced her mother's wrath because of him. Buaji read his face.

Buaji: Don't worry babuwa. She is so sweet. She respects our traditions. After your marriage, you will see the other side of her.

Garima: Actually I messed everything that's why she is angry with him. She said sadly.

Arnav: If you don't mind, will you permit me to get her apologize aunty? He really wanted her to apologize.

Garima: Sure beta, but what if she gets angry?

Buaji: Arrey, anyhow he should face her right? You go babuwa.

Arnav nodded yes and went to her room. Khushi looked at him wiping her tears.

Arnav: Khushi I'm sorry. I didn't expect this. I'm really sorry. Because of me, you faced...

In no time Khushi rushed to his arms. He felt her thudding heartbeat. It's not so hard for him to understand what she might have gone through until he reached here.

Khushi: Thank god you came at the right time and handled it smoothly. Or else I would have confessed everything to them.

Arnav: there is one more thing....

Khushi: Our marriage...

Arnav: Yes, you should be careful about Mangal sutra. I prefer you remove it Khushi.

Khushi: I will take care of it Arnavji.

Arnav: I don't want to make them more upset Khushi. Be careful. (Khushi nodded yes) I should leave. Or else they may suspect us.

He kissed her forehead and came out. Garima and Buaji looked at him.

Buaji: Did she talk to you?

Arnav: No Buaji. She refused to talk to me. She needs some time to come out of all the tension. Let her be alone for a while.

They nodded yes and Arnav left GH. 

RM

Arnav entered inside RM all frustrated. Aman saw him so restless. He sensed something should have happened in GH.

Aman: ASR, what happened?

Arnav: Sheetal started her nasty game. Garima aunty and Buaji got to know about Khushi's stay at RM.

Aman: Ohh shit...

Arnav: Somewhat I have managed them, taking all the blame on me.

Aman: What was their reaction on it?

Arnav: Mom's letter saved me.

Aman: Thank god.

Arnav: We should do something fast Aman. We can't sit until Sheetal herself get trapped. Why not we trace her voice? There should be her recorded voice in some of our AR presentation.

Aman: Good idea buddy.

Arnav: Do it today itself.

Aman: Done.

GH

Garima saw Khushi's dull face. She felt bad for her.

Garima: Khushi....

Khushi: Haan Amma??

Garima nodded her head asking her to come here. Khushi came and kneel down in front of her.

Garima: Are you upset Khushi?

Khushi: Please forgive me. I had no other choice to save your life. That's why I stayed in his house. But I didn't do anything wrong. Trust me.

Garima: Arnav is right. My daughter cannot be wrong as same as my Ratna's son. Ratna told me once; He will get to know about you even if she didn't say anything regarding it. I wonder how he sensed something in you. It all destined. (pause) Don't you like him Khushi? (Khushi was speechless) His way of approaching you might be wrong but his intention was not. He is going to be your husband in a few days. Please try to fit into this relationship Khushi.

Khushi felt bad for keeping her mother in dark. But she will get hurt if she came to know about her marriage.

Garima: Did you really add chilly in his food Khushi? (Khushi nodded yes bowing down.) How could you do that Khushi? Don't you know that we should not show our anger through food?

Khushi (still bowing down): I thought, he won't eat after tasting it.

Garima: Did he?

Khushi(nodded no): He was so adamant Amma. Do you know how scared I was seeing his reddened eyes?

Garima: Poor guy, He has no one to cook for him.

Khushi(cutting her): Amma, you don't have to worry. I will be alright in some days.

Garima: I'm so happy beta. Or else I and Jeeji will be here all tensed thinking about your relationship with Arnav because you will leave Lucknow after your marriage... She said feeling sad.

Khushi hugged Garima couldn't control her tears.

Khushi: Don't stress yourself Amma. I will never make you worry.

Buaji: We will be stress-free if you are happy with Arnav Babuwa.

Khushi nodded yes. She started thinking about going back to Delhi, after her marriage, leaving her mother.

.......

Arnav stopped interacting with Guptas. He didn't want to put Khushi in trouble because the human mind never stops assuming. He couldn't allow Guptas to suspect Khushi. Meanwhile, Garima and Buaji have finished all the rituals for Khushi.

Sheetal was disappointed as her plan flopped. There was nothing happening as she expected. She has no idea how Arnav handled the situation. She couldn't tolerate this defeat. She has to do something very fast because she is running out of time. There were few days to marriage. She didn't dare to make a call to GH again, as she afraid of thinking that Arnav may trace it. So she was waiting for the right chance to do her next move.

To be continued....