Part30 (Maha Update)

RM

Before Arnav got out of the car Khushi went inside. She locked the room and didn't come out for the whole day. Arnav wished, she should come out with clarity like her first day at RM. He just wanted her to get rid of her stress. He doesn't know how to make it possible. In fact he has no courage to take step towards her. The situation has sucked the courage away from him.

Arnav was in his room thinking about the "sudden change" of his life. He recalled the entire incident from the beginning. The only thing done by him was bring Khushi here. But whatever happened after that was not in his hands. It happened by its own.

Arnav couldn't believe that Khushi became his WIFE. An adorable cute smile crept on his face. Next moment it got vanished in the thought of "it did not happen with her acceptance". It was forced one, forced by the circumstances. What could he do? He couldn't let her tie Rakhi in his hand. He will face any situation rather than that.

Arnav caught hold of his breath for some time thinking her look in SAREE that too in his saree. With the intensity of the situation, he missed to admire her when he saw her in saree for very first time because the condition did not let him to do so. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, completely new look. Can a simple sari be able to change one's appearance to this extent?

PIC CREDIT: MAYU ARSHI

Khushi was tired of crying. No one can change anything after this. Reality hit her hard. She went to the bed and sat on it. She saw her own image in the mirror. That was a NEW one. Now she is one's WIFE. This Mangal Sutra and Vermillion was not a plaything. It includes Arnav's name. It's nothing but a confluence of two souls. "The Wife is the shadow of her Husband" the Mangal sutra which was on her neck glittered hinting that reality to her.

She was taught "No matter how many relatives a girl has, but the only relationship you should even give your life is your HUSBAND". She touched her Mangal sutra. Her hands were shivering while doing that. Had she ever thought she would get married like this? She closed her eyes. It was Arnav's Mother's. She knew how much precious it was for Arnav. It was not just a chain but an emotion. He feels his mother's presence in that.

What's all this? What should she do now? Her culture didn't let her stay calm. Whirlwind was brewing in her mind. She was rotating on it.

That's when Hp knocked her room door. She didn't respond. So he called from outside.

HP: Khushiji....

No response.

HP: Khushiji your Buaji is on the line. Please take the intercom and talk to her.

Khushi rushed to the phone and received it. Arnav, who was watching from the outside, gestured HP to pass the receiver. HP gave it to him and went. Arnav just wants to hear Khushi's voice. He didn't get a glimpse of her from the morning. He waited to keep the receiver in his ear.

Khushi: Hello Buaji...

Not only Arnav but also Buaji got tensed hearing her feeble voice.

Buaji: Khoosi.. What happen to you? Are you alright?

Khushi: Jee Buaji....

Buaji: I know what's bothering you Thithaliya. It's all fate. We can do nothing. Something is not in our hand. It will happen at any cost. No one can change. We should accept, which was written in our destiny. This is what life is. We are toys in Nandh Kishore's hand. Some things seem not good at first but we will get used to it. Accept what's made for you Khoosi. Be confident. Leave everything in your DM's feet. She will lead you to right path and you will succeed in every circumstance.

Khushi and Arnav were stunned hearing Buaji's advice. What made her talk like this? Doesn't she talking like she knows their present condition?

Khushi(stammering): Buaji... What are you talking about?

Buaji: You are upset thinking about your "father" Right?

Khushi sighed in relief and Arnav as well.

Khushi: Jee buaji. This is the first time I'm doing "shradh" for Babuji all alone.

Buaji(smiled): As I said, you should put it into practice. Won't you do it from your Husband's place, after your marriage?

Why the hell Buaji speaks everything related to the present situation? How could she say, already she is in her Husband's place only? In the other side, Arnav smiled hearing that.

Buaji: Arrey... Why are you silent?

Khushi: Ohh Buaji.. I just...

Buaji: Ok ok. Tell me how was your day and new experience?

What could she say that this is the unforgettable day of her life? Khushi touched her neck where the Mangal sutra was giving new meaning to her life.

Buaji: I no need to bother as you have your boss and her mother with you. I'm sure they will help you to come out of your grief.

Khushi's felt dizzy while Arnav couldn't control his over joy. He got courage that he can make Khushi accept this relationship with the help of Buaji.

Khushi: Buaji my head is aching. I will talk to you later.

Buaji(lovingly): Don't cry thinking anything. It will happen whatever means to happen. Ok?

Khushi: Jee Buaji.

She cut the call and lay on the bed. What Buaji told is the answer of Devi Maiya?

Night

It was dinner time.

Arnav: Did you call Khushi?

HP: jee. But she answered from closed door that she was not hungry.

Arnav nodded his head in affirmative. He went to his room and locked the door.

The rain continued to keep pouring. Arnav and Khushi both didn't get sleep until midnight. They were looking at the nonstop rain. "RAIN" the factor which is going to connect them. They didn't know when they slept. Both woke up late.

Arnav was very tired because he felt a little feverish. He wonders. After many years he has got a fever. It made him so irritating. He went to the washroom and took bath in freshwater ignoring his fever. He knows that there is no medicine for the flu. He called Hari Prakash. HP came by running. He sensed something was wrong with HP.

Arnav: Are you all right?

Hp nodded no.

Arnav: what happen?

HP: My mother was admitted to the hospital. My brother told me it's very hard to save her life. She is in ICU due to a heart attack. 

He cried.

Arnav: What the... why didn't you say it before?

HP: just now I received the call. You called me exactly the same time.

Arnav gave him bundles of money.

Arnav: Take the leave as much as you need. Ask me whatever you want. Tell me the details of the doctors who are attending your mother.(HP about to go) Wait.

Arnav called his driver Mohan. He rushed inside hurriedly.

Arnav: Mohan, take Hari Prakash to his town. I'll send you with him because of the heavy rainfall. Be with him until his mother crosses the risk phase. (he gave him money) fill the tank and keep the balance for your urgency.

Mohan: ji..

They left. Arnav came down. He sat in the living room and started reading a newspaper. He sensed someone was in the kitchen. Hp was not at home, if it was not HP then who is there in the kitchen?

Arnav ran to the kitchen and saw Khushi was standing in front of the stove. It seemed as though she lost. Her gaze rooted at some point and her hand was on the stove. She didn't notice the seething milk on the stove. Arnav rushed to save her before getting hurt.

Arnav pulled Khushi's handoff from the stove and the hot milk spilled from the vessel accurately at the same place where Khushi had kept her hand. Khushi looked at him shockingly and guessed what would have happened.

Arnav: Khushi, if you are not ok then what's necessary to handle the kitchen? This is the place to be careful Khushi. (he said worriedly)

Khushi was still looking at him without blinking as if she is seeing him for the first time. There was an expectation in her eyes. Arnav wondered. He thought that she would not even look at him. But she amazed him.

Arnav: Khushi.... are you....

He stopped. His words chocked in his throat. His heart stopped its beat for few seconds. Khushi looked at him and understood why he stopped his stance incomplete. It was not hard to know about his inner uproar seeing his fisted fingers and tightened nerves.

What the hell she had done???

Arnav's nerves heated up like they might blast anytime. He was looking at Khushi's "empty neck" where his Mother's Mangal sutra was missing.

Khushi: your breakfast is ready. You can have it. She said looking at him.

She went to the breakfast table leaving him there all frustrated. Arnav went to his room leaving his breakfast breaking things on the way making Khushi close her ears couldn't bear the sound.

Arnav came to his room and started throwing things. His wife removed the Mangal Sutra from her neck. He felt like as if she had removed him from her life. The thought itself has killed him. What else other than marriage could keep Khushi with him? But she didn't give importance to that too. He felt so tired. He didn't want to stay at home even though when his body was boiling in fever.

"BELIEF". It differs from person to person. If we believe we can see God in the stone too. If there is no belief, we cannot trust God even if he comes in front of us in person. Khushi comes in the first category. She believes in God and also Fate. More than that, she respects her culture and rituals. But what is her point in this matter? Marriage doesn't matter to her?

He was broken. The thought, Khushi removed the Mangal sutra was hurting him. He can't believe Khushi could do that without any feelings. Does she still stick to her bloody engagement? Damn.

Arnav got ready and came downstairs. He saw Khushi was sitting and thinking something. She didn't even see him coming. He stood there gazing at her. He could understand her state. Any girl in her place would be like this. But she is Khushi. Couldn't she come out of it if she wishes? "Wish"? Will she wish? Will she wish to come to him? He gulped and left the RM.

AR

Delhi was facing a heavy downpour like ever before. It rained as the sky got torn. Heavy rain caused waterlogging and flooding in many areas and massive traffic jams in Delhi. Many people got stuck on the road. That was a record break rain of February. It shook Delhi with its strong storm mercilessly.

Arnav was looking at the pouring rain with his drained heart. Aman could sense Arnav's tension since he came to office. He came to Arnav's cabin and sat in front of him.

Aman: what happened Arnav? You look so stressed?

Arnav(sighed): We will talk later. First, send all the lady staff home. The rain does not seem to stop.

Traffic also is getting worse. I don't want them to face problems in reaching home. Ask them to do their tasks from home. (He sneezed)

Aman: Are you ok?

Arnav: Not absolutely. My head is blasting and the body is burning.

Aman: Then why did you come to the office in the worst monsoon?

Arnav didn't answer him and again sneezed.

Aman: Do you need medicine?

Arnav: Badly, I'm done with this fever.

Aman: First tell me did you have your breakfast or not?

Arnav: No.

Aman: But why? Is Khushi fine?

Arnav(in feeble voice): No she is also not fine.

Aman: What's wrong Arnav? She is not fine and you have come to the office leaving her? What's the matter, buddy?

Arnav gulped hard gasping.

Aman: wait a minute.

He went to his cabin and brought his lunch box.

Aman(giving it to Arnav): Eat it first.

Arnav: Thank you. Give me medicine too.

Aman: It must be in your locker. Last time I kept it there. Wait I will search it for you.

He kept his mobile on Arnav's table and went to Arnav's locker which was beside his table. There it is. He handed it to Arnav and also a glass of water.

Arnav: Do it fast what I told you. Send them first.

Aman went from there forgot to take his mobile from Arnav's table. Arnav closed his eyes leaning on the chair thinking about yesterday's happenings. It was a huge turning point of his life. Not only his but also Khushi's. Her condition is worse than him. He wanted to hold her for his lifetime, but not in this way. But it was not planned. It has happened unexpectedly.

How could she remove the wearing Mangal sutra? If her "so-called" engagement is important for her then what about their marriage? Marriage is Marriage, right? What if it happened in an unpleasant way? Isn't she a girl who fond of her culture?

Doesn't she say "everything is happening with a reason"? Why not she thinks that in this matter? What is she going to do? What will she decide? What's there in her mind? This girl is really unpredictable. Will he be able to accept her decision if she goes against him? No... never... after all, she is his wife.

That's when Aman's phone started ringing which he left on Arnav's table. He opened his eyes and extended his hand. When he took the phone, he touched the green button unintentionally and the call was attended. Before Arnav answering, the man from the other side spoke.

Man: Sir, As you said I captured ASR's marriage and sent the video to your WhatsApp number. Thank you for the amount you sent to me. (he cut the call)

Arnav's stood like a statue without getting anything. His blood boiled like, it will flow out through his eyes. He opened Aman's phone gallery. And yes, there was a video. He played it with his shivering hands. He saw his own marriage with Khushi which happened yesterday. Khushi looked so stressful. Her eyes were pouring nonstop. Shock was visible on her face when he tied a Mangal sutra on her neck. She closed her eyes when he filled the vermillion on her partition.

What the hell is happening around him? Arnav couldn't believe Aman is the one who was behind his marriage. He never thought Aman will do anything beyond his imagination. Arnav lifted his head when he heard the door opening sound. Aman got panicked seeing his mobile in Arnav's hand and his raged eyes.

Aman(hesitatingly): I forgot to take my mobile ASR.

Arnav(gritting his teeth): It's good that you forgot, that's why I got to know the truth.

Aman was looking at him silently without saying anything.

Arnav: Why Aman? Why the helllllll??(he shouted and clutched Aman's collar) I can't believe that you could stoop so low. Why did you do that Aman? Do you have any idea what you have done? Do you know how broken Khushi is? Do you know how Khushi is broken?

Aman(calmly): She must be. What's there to wonder? (Arnav frowned and left his collar) Have you lost your mind seeing Khushi's sadden face ASR? You should keep only one point in your mind leaving everything behind, That she is your wife now. she is not only broken but also shaken off because, she knew that she can't stick into her engagement over her husband, that's YOU....! Yes, I had stoop low. I will do it again and again if it gives you happiness. If you would not have believed that yet, then start believing it from now that "Aman will stoop low for Arnav's happiness".(he shouted) I don't care what's right or wrong but only YOU. I know she must be broken. But I have no choice because you are running out of time. Without doing anything BIG we can't stop her. Can you let her go away from you? Can you live without her? I know you can't (pause) and I can't let you break down damn it. He yelled.

Arnav was stunned. He got overwhelmed by his friend. He dragged Aman for a tight hug. He can't hold his tears seeing his "REAL FRIEND". It's not a matter of how many friends you are having but it matters what kind of friend you are having. One friend is better than thousands of friends who can do anything for our happiness. That's what AMAN is.  

To be continued........