Part 23

Shanthi van was filled with pleasing dhoop stick smell in the pleasant morning. As usual Khushi was doing pooja. That's when she heard calling bell sound. She went to open the door as HP went to market. She was confused when she found a woman in her late sixties was standing there. The woman looked at Khushi who was standing with pooja thali in her hands.

Khushi: May I know who are you?

Woman(sternly): I'm coming from ASHRAM.

Khush(excitedly): Ashram? My goodness. She bent down and touched her feet to take blessings.

Woman was shocked by khushi's action. No doubt she wondered.

Woman: I want to see Arnav.

Khushi: ohhh, you are here to see Arnavji?

Woman's eyebrows raised miraculously because of her "Arnavji".

Khushi: come in side. I will call Arnavji until then you please be seated.

Woman: where is Arnav?

Khushi: He is in his room. For your kind information, call him Arnav Sir. I know you are so elder than him. But he is very short temper. You won't get any donation if he hears you calling him by his name. Be care full. She warned by whispering.

Woman: Is he that much aggressive?

Khushi(frowning): Not like that... (pause) But yes.

Woman(sternly): you are confusing me.

Khushi(pouting): Because I'm in confusion. I can't say whether he is good or bad.

Woman: you said he gets angry, but you are talking about him very casually and loudly? What if he hears you? Won't he send you out?

Khushi(wearily): Let him hear. I too want him to send me out. But he is not doing that. (she said pouting)

Woman: why? Don't you like to be here?

Khushi(sighed): Don't ask me that. It's a big story.

Woman: I have enough time to here.

Khushi was about to go from there. She stopped hearing that woman asking.

Woman: who are you?

Khushi: Me? I'm Khushi. she smiled.

Woman: Khushi, who are you to Arnav?

Khushi: Whatever, I don't think, it's necessary for you to know. Actually I can't share it with outsiders. She said hesitatingly.

Woman: Will you share everything with your Arnavji only?

Before Khushi answer to the woman, they heard Arnav....

Arnav: Dhadi.....

Khushi's eyes were widened hearing "Dhadi".

Khushi(in inaudible voice): Dhadi?? She gulped in fear while biting her nail.

Arnav rushed to Dhadi and hugged her. SUBADRA RAIZADA who went to Ashram after Arnav's parents demise.

Arnav(composing himself): App?(you?) what made you come here after so long years? He asked without showing any expression.

Dhadi: Is this the way to welcome me?

Arnav: How do Orphan like me know how to welcome?

Angry and pain were visible in Arnav's tone.

Dhadi(sarcastically): Orphan? It's doesn't seems like that.

She said looking at Khushi. Arnav gulped at her.

Dhadi: who is she? She asked without shifting her rooted gaze from Khushi.

Before Arnav says anything Khushi said,

Khushi: I'm a Maid.

Arnav looked at her tightening his jaws like "MAID?". Dhadi smiled at her.

Dhadi: Maid? I don't think, Arnav will allow a Maid to do pooja at the same place where his mother was worshiped.

Khushi was getting nervous.

Khushi: I will prepare your breakfast Dhadijji.

She went inside the kitchen. Arnav took Dhadi to his room. Dhadhi looked at Arnav who was already looking at her sternly.

Dhadi: I know she is not a Maid.

Arnav: I'm glad that you understand that.

Dhadi: Was this been taught to you? Won't you always say that your mother brought you up with culture? Is this the culture she taught you? you are living with a girl without marrying?

Arnav(shouting): Enough Dhadi. Just say anything after knowing the truth. This is not suits your age. It seems inexperienced.

Dhadi: Really? Then clear me who is she.

Arnav: Although I am not obliged to answer... I answer because I don't want Khushi's reputation get ruined. (pause) I want to marry her.

Dhadi: But seems like she is not fine with that?

Arnav: That's why I brought her here.

Dhadi(shocked): "Brought?" you mean kidnapping?

Arnav(nodded no): I didn't kidnap her because it was not necessary. He said without any fear.

Subhatra stunned by his reply. That means, "He would have been kidnapped her if needed?". It is not so hard to understand Arnav's state of mind for Dhadi that "he will do anything for Khushi".

Dhadi: Do you think it works? How can you build a relationship on the base of dislike?

Arnav(firmly): She will like me.

Dhadi: When?

Arnav: Anytime.

Dhadi: What's the need to force her when hundreds of girls are waiting for you?

Arnav: That's the reason. She is not one among them.

Dhadi: But running behind a woman doesn't suit you.

Arnav: I will decide it.

Dhadi(sighed): I just want you to be happy Arnav. I was upset when I heard that you are in relationship with an ineligible girl....

Arnav(cutting her): she is the only "ELIGIBLE" girl I had ever seen.

Dhadi: what so special in her?

Arnav: she herself a special.

Dhadi: You disappointed me Arnav. We have some reputation in society.

Arnav: Did I disappoint you? Really Dhadi? it's you who disappointed me when I needed someone's presence next to me. You left me in hostel and went to Ashram searching your own peace without caring about me. Now in which rights you came here to stop me? And suddenly why do you care about your family reputation which was already demolished by your son long ago? Because of him I lost my mother and became an orphan. Remember?

Dhadi(painfully): is it necessary to discuss the things we want to forget?

Arnav: Why, because it's about your son?

Dhadi: I understand one thing. You are not in the state of listening anything against that girl.

Arnav: Finally.

Dhadi(gulped): I came here because I care for you Arnav. I might be missed my duty in past. But now I can't sit back and watch what you are doing.

Arnav: You have to... Don't provoke the beast in me Dhadi... it will destroy everything. And I will do whatever to make her stay with me.

Dhadi was taken aback seeing rage in Arnav's eyes. She composed herself.

Dhadi: Ok fine. I came here to perform your parent's death anniversary. This is fifteenth year.

Yes it was tomorrow. Arnav nodded yes calming down himself.

Arnav came to his room and sat with thud. Tomorrow is his parent death anniversary, especially his mother's.... whom he loves so much. That's the day which he wants to forget. Blood filled day.

In kitchen

Khushi saw HP removing big size plates from loft.

Khushi: Why are you removing these plates Hpji?

HP: for tomorrow's pooja.

Khushi: Pooja? Which Pooja?

HP: Tomorrow is Arnav baba's parent's death anniversary.

Khushi: Ohhh....That's why Dhadiji is here?

HP: This is the first time she is coming here for pooja.(pause) I didn't find one more plate. I think it must be in store room.

Khushi: wait, I will bring it.

HP: It must be on the top rack of the self.

Khushi: Jee.

She was going towards store room and got banged on Arnav. She got rooted witnessing his teary eyes.

It was not so hard to understand that what made him emotional. She doesn't know that he is so vulnerable. Arnav composed himself smilingly as if her eyes itself was enough to make his heart calm. He was about to go from there....

Khushi: Arnavji....

Arnav stopped and looked at her.

Khushi: will you help me to get the plate from the store room?

Arnav was surprised. Is she asking him to help her? yes she did. She wanted to divert him. Even if not completely then at least for a while. But don't know why she wants to see him relaxed. Arnav nodded yes and followed her. She saw the plate was being kept on top rack. Arnav removed the plate and handed over it to Khushi.

Khsuhi: Thank you.

Arnav nodded his head accepting her thanks. Khushi moved from there taking the plate. She stopped at the door step and turned.

Khushi: Are you alright?

Arnav amazingly looked at her without answering. He nodded his head "yes". She smiled and left. Arnav gulped smilingly forgetting his grief. Khushi was confused at her own act. Why she couldn't see him sorrow? Why she wanted to do something to make him calm down? What if he is sad? Why it's matter to her? She was puzzled.

.........

Subhadra observed Khushi for the whole day who was trying hard to show herself as a "Maid". Subhadra also maintained like she believed that. She talked to her only if it was necessary. Khushi felt relaxed as Subhadra didn't ask anything about her stay in RM.

Khushi was busy in Kitchen. She saw Dhadi was entering inside. She got nervous. Why is she here? Will she ask anything about Arnav? What will she say if she asks anything?

Dhadhi: I will cook my food.

Khushi: Dhadhiji... let me prepare it for you.

Dhadi: what do you know about my food habit? (Khushi was numb) It's not easy for you to follow those.

Khushi(hesitatingly): I will try.... if you say about it.

Dhadi: I won't add onion and garlic in my food. I avoid cold veggies. I use half salt. No sour. No spices. Very low oil.

Khushi felt dizzy. She never heard that something could be cook like this. But she was fixed. Why not give a try? Dhadi looked at her sarcastically.

Dhadi: still... do you believe that you can cook for me?

Khushi nodded yes gulping.

Dhadi: ok. go ahead. But keep it in your mind I won't eat if it is not up to my taste.

Khushi(nodded ok): jee..

Subhadra left the kitchen giving space for Khushi.

Khushi(self talk): No onion, no garlic, no spice , no sour, no oil... Hey Devi Maiya, if there is no these things then what will it taste like? She gulped.....

To be continued.......