Part 19 Lovable Father

Arnav, in a state of emotional turmoil, could not guess which state he was in. But he was sure that every beat of his heart would echo Khushi's name from that moment on. She would become a permanent resident in his heart, keeping him awake at night. His love for her, a force beyond his control, would swell and grow, a colossal wave of emotion.

He was determined to enter her life if she allowed it. Would he be granted the chance? His heart was a wild thing beyond his control. He was prepared to defy all norms for her companionship. He would wait for her with open arms, ready to conquer the world if she stepped towards him. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was resolute. He would make her come to him, no matter what it took.

Khushi, his child's mother, was a pillar of strength. He could only imagine her hardships as a single mother, which was a testament to her resilience. And yet, she seemed to face even more challenges. The family dynamics were complex, with each member carrying their burdens. Why did they target her? Why did they make her father hate her? What had she been through?

Arnav was taken aback when Aashi tugged at his T-shirt. He looked down at her, struck by her pure innocence, a quality that never failed to charm and amuse him.

"Mom is calling you..." She giggled.

Arnav looked at Khushi.

"Where were you lost?"

Arnav shook his head. They saw Ratna coming downstairs.

"Aunty, why are you coming? I will bring you hot water," Khushi said.

"It's ok, beta. How long could I be sitting in my room?" Ratna looked at Aashi and asked,

"Why didn't you come to meet me? Have you forgotten?"

"No... Mr Puzzle had a headache. To press his head, I stayed back."

"Is it Chotte?"

Arnav nodded seriously. Khushi bit her lip to control her smile.

"Shall I prepare you coffee?" Ratna asked.

"No, Mom... I'm all right. Ms. Smile made my headache run," Arnav said, making Ms. Smile smile.

"Wait, I will bring juice for Ms Smile", Ratna said.

"Aunty, you please sit. Ask Hariprakashji to bring it." Khushi said.

Ratna nodded ok and sat.

"Aunty, why are you doing everything alone? Get a fitting person to RM and be relaxing."

Arnav and Ratna glanced at each other as they didn't know whom she was talking about.

"Aunty, get Arnav married... and get a bahu. She will take care of everything, including ARNAV. What say?" Khushi smiled at Arnav, whose facial expression had changed. He became embarrassed. If it were a few days ago, he would have given her a funny answer, but now, everything has changed...! Of course, Khushi didn't know about the change. That was why she was moving with him casually. Arnav looked at Ratna. He wanted her to say something about his decision not to get married.

Khushi looked at Ratna, who was looking at Arnav miserably.

"What happened, Aunty? Did I say anything wrong?"

Ratna nodded no.

"You are not wrong... it's just that Chotte is not ready to get married."

"Not ready to get married means? What does that mean?" Khushi asked, frowning.

Arnav observed Khushi, who looked confused.

"Why Arnav? Why don't you want to get married?"

Arnav looked at Ratna, who hesitated to talk more about it. So, Arnav himself took the lead.

"I have a reason..." Arnav looked at Khushi.

"Oh..." she folded her lips as she didn't know if she could ask the reason.

"Dadi, what's marriage? What will you do in marriage?" Aashi asked.

"Marriage is a relationship between two people, I mean a man and a woman in which they live together..."

"What will happen if Mr Puzzle gets married?"

"He will become a husband to a girl and will get a wife. She will be with him for his lifetime."

"Really?"

Ratna nodded yes.

"Mom, you, too, don't have a husband. Marry Mr Puzzle and became his wife."

The duo found themselves in a comical situation. Arnav could not understand what was happening within. He was torn between amusement at Aashi's innocent yet embarrassing questions about marriage. On the other hand, Khushi composed herself, using her years of experience in handling Aashi's innocent yet tricky questions that came to her aid, entertaining the audience with the family's humorous dynamics.

She laughed,

"If you talk like this, Dadi and Mr Puzzle will not let us enter RM."

"Why?" Aashi pouted.

"Marriage is a big thing. There are many formalities. A kid like you should not discuss it, OK?"

Aashi nodded ok with a hung face.

"Nothing is like that. We will not say that. you can talk about anything." Arnav said.

Aashi nodded, smiling brightly. Khushi rolled her eyes.

"Shall we go, Ms Smile?" Khushi asked, smilingly.

"Mom, today is a holiday. You go to the hospital. I will be here."

"No, beta. We should not disturb Dadi."

"There is nothing called disturbance. I told you many times," Arnav said with a stern gaze.

"Ok, should be like a good girl..."

"I'm indeed a good girl," Aashi said.

Khushi looked at Arnav.

"I will bring her home."

Khushi nodded ok and left RM. Arnav looked at Aashi and asked,

"What are you going to do?"

"Mmm..." She thought, tapping her cheek cutely and said,

"We will watch a Cartoon."

"We will watch it later. Now, let's go out."

"Out? Wow...where?" She hopped, holding his hand.

"Park?"

"Heeyyyy... come on... Dadi, we are going."

Ratna nodded.

Arnav took Aashi to the park. She ran to the swing and sat. Arnav pushed the swing fast, making her giggle.

"Fast, fast..." she laughed.

Arnav pushed her without getting tired.

"Stop, stop..." She shouted.

"What?"

"I will play in the slide."

"Ok... go..."

She climbed the stairs and started sliding. After playing enough, she sat on the cement bench with Arnav.

"What about ice cream?" Arnav asked.

Aashi licked her lip and nodded ok, widening her eyes. Arnav chuckled, forgetting himself. How cute his baby was!

"Let's go..." he stood up.

Aashi held his hand and walked, hopping joyfully. They came to the ice cream shop.

"What flavour do you like?"

"Chocolate"

Arnav brought her chocolate flavour and made her eat it. Aashi willingly ate it.

"Enough?"

"Mmm, one more?" She asked, raising her index finger prettily.

Arnav got another ice cream and gave it to her. Arnav admired her with mixed emotions. He didn't know what would be her mother's decision in his matter. Aashi was his baby, but he could not claim it. He could not tell anyone about it because her mother didn't know the truth. No one would be in his condition, he thought.

When they returned to RM, they saw Ratna in the living room. Aashi ran to her and recited everything to her. Ratna smiled at Arnav.

Arnav took the remote and changed the channel. Aashi watched Tom and Jerry. She laughed, giggled, smiled...! Arnav and Ratna entertained her. Aashi had a good time with them like ever before. She didn't even think of Khushi at least once.

In the evening, Arnav opened the door as he heard the calling bell sound. Khushi smilingly entered.

"Moooom..." Aashi rushed towards her.

Khushi lifted her.

"Did you trouble them?"

Aashi nodded no.

"We went to the park, ate ice cream, watched cartoons... I like Mr Puzzle and Dadi so much," She said, spreading her hands.

"Arnav, you had done a blunder"

"What?"

"She is going to nag you for the same again and again."

"After all, she is a kid..."

"Aashu bid bye to them."

"Mom, can't we be here?"

"You are going to get beaten up..." Khushi pinched her cheek playfully.

"She is right. You can be here," Ratna said.

"Aunty... please, don't do this. Aashu, say bye"

"Bye..." she said, making a face.

"I will drop you."

"No, Arnav... a cab is waiting outside..."

"But why?"

"It's ok, Arnav... whatever you are doing is more..."

"Don't be formal, Khushi..."

"Ok... I will try to be informal the next time. Now, let us go..."

Arnav sighed.

"Bye, Aunty... bye, Arnav"

Clutching Aashi's hand, Khushi walked. Arnav stood looking at them.

Night

After finishing dinner, Arnav went to his room. That was when he got a call. He smiled, seeing Khushi's number. He attended the call. Before he talked,

"Have you slept?" Aashi asked.

"Yes, I'm sleeping and speaking with you in my dream." He chuckled.

Aashi giggled.

"If I had slept, how could I attend the call?"

"Did you have dinner?"

"Yeah... you?"

"Having..."

"Oh..."

"I want to talk to you."

"Tell me, beta."

"Shall I come to your house tomorrow?"

"You are most welcome. You don't need my permission... this is YOUR house."

"Really?"

"Mmm..."

That was when Arnav heard a knocking sound on the phone.

"Who is that?" Arnav looked at the clock. It was 9 o'clock.

"Mom is opening the door."

Khushi opened the door and was shocked to see Lokesh Ram standing.

"Mr Puzzle, Dragon Monkey is back." She said nervously, making Arnav nervous.

"What does he do?" Arnav stood up from the bed.

"He is entering without Mom's permission..."

Taking the car key, Arnav rushed to his car.

To be continued...