Continuing on demand of my lovely readers✨

He again started, "Dadi, Di, what's the big deal here? I have just selected a mere girl." I was very angered now; he was mentioning the girl as a mere one whom he selected to spend his life with. "Chote, how could you? If she is a mere girl to you, then why did you select her? Haan, say!"

He was confused. "Di, what's wrong with you? You have never decided about any official matters. I have selected a damn girl as my new P.A., not any maid for the house."

I was too enraged to understand anything. "Chote, now you are comparing her with a maid? How could you compare the girl with...?"

Dadi shook me and said, "He has selected a... P.A." I then heard Chote saying, "Exactly, I have selected a personal assistant to keep a check on my schedule. I don't find anything wrong with that."

I was shocked again when realization dawned on me. I was overwhelmed to find that Chote hadn't selected a girl as his life partner. I repeated, "Personal assistant?" He asked me, "Are you okay, Di?"

I started blabbering, "Yes, I'm all okay. Good that you selected a P.A. I thought..." Dadi interrupted and said, "Chote, I think you are getting late for the office." He replied, "No, Dadi, I want to know what Di thought. Say, Di, and don't try to hide it. Why were you creating a scene for a random girl?"

I took a deep breath and said in one go, "I have selected a girl for you... as in, your life partner... mmm... your wife." Now it was his turn to be shocked. "What the...?"

I replied, "Yes, Chote, it's all about your marriage, and you, my business-minded brother, always think about office and work." He almost roared, "No, I'm not interested in marriage!" Dadi tried to say something, but he cut her off. "Stop. Don't start the topic again. I'm getting late for the office." And he left. Dadi also went away helplessly. I had decided that somehow I would bring Khushi into Chote's life, so the next day I waited for her at the temple to get details about her. But after that day, she never returned to the temple. I waited for her daily, and not finding her, I became hopeless about the matter. Today I was shocked to see her with you. Here I was trying to know about that poor girl, but now she herself doesn't know anything about her past. We will surely help her find her family.

Lavanya: You selected a girl for Bhai, and none of us knew? (Anjali tried to say something when Lavanya said) I understand, you wanted to know about her fully. By the way, you are right, Di. We must help her. She is one innocent soul. I am afraid of what her reaction will be when she comes to know that she has lost her mother.

Dadi: Don't tell her, bitiya. Let us first know about her family.

Anjali: I think Dadi is right... (Lavanya nodded her head in agreement.) Where is she?

Lavanya: She's having a home tour with Ramu Kaka. Even if she has lost her memory, she is the same friendly girl. (She sighed and then asked) Di, when will Bhai return from Mumbai?

Anjali: Chote will return in two days.

Lavanya: It's better to be prepared to say all this to Bhai because Khushi thinks she was working in his office. I am worried about Bhai's reaction; he will be very angry with me.

Dadi: Don't worry, bitiya. We are with you.

Anjali: Yes, Lavanya, we will explain it to Chote. Maybe we can ask him to give Khushi a job in his office.

Lavanya: Perfect, Di. If Khushi joins Bhai's office, she will be engrossed in work, in a new environment, and I will have time to find details about her.

Anjali was about to say something when she saw Ramu Kaka going to the kitchen. She called him and asked about Khushi. He replied that she was in the guest room and went away. Anjali and Lavanya went to check on her while Dadi moved to her own room.

...................................

Khushi was feeling good after the home tour. Ramu Kaka told her this mansion is known as Shantivan. Yes, indeed, this house is full of peace, which is modern yet traditional, she thought. What she still wasn't aware of was The Lion, who is the owner of this peaceful den, which would be echoing with his roars anytime, and this is just the peace before a huge storm.

The knock on the door made her turn to see that Anjali and Lavanya were standing there. She smiled at them, and they came in.

Anjali: So, Khushiji, did you like our home?

Khushi (smiling): Yes, Anjaliji, it's very nice.

Lavanya: What's with you all? Khushiji, Anjaliji... (turning to Khushi) It's Di, and (turning to Anjali) it's Khushi. (Both of them smiled at Lavanya.)

Anjali: You are right, Lavanya. Khushi, you call me Di. I will feel good. (She thought how she had wished to make Khushi Chote's wife, after which Khushi would have called her Di.)

Khushi: Okay, Di.

Lavanya: Now that's better.

They all sat on the bed and talked about how Khushi would need some dresses and all now. Anjali planned for a shopping trip that evening. Just then, her phone rang, bringing a huge smile to her face while Lavanya gave her a teasing smile. Anjali picked up the call and said hello when her mobile was snatched by Lavanya. Anjali was shocked, and Khushi was confused. Lavanya switched on the loudspeaker mode, and there came a voice, "Rani Saheba." Lavanya whispered to Khushi that it was Anjali Di's husband, Shyam Jijaji, who calls her Rani Saheba.

Shyam: Rani Saheba, how are you? You know, I missed you so much... (Lavanya giggled, earning a smack from Anjali, while Khushi smiled at them. Then they heard Shyam saying) What happened? Why are you not speaking? Are you okay?

Anjali: Shyamji, wo...

Lavanya (interrupting and imitating Anjali): Wo kya hai na ji, hum thoda busy hain... (The matter is, I am a little busy.)

Anjali stared at Lavanya, who burst out laughing. Khushi held Lavanya's hand, indicating to stop the prank.

Shyam: No problem, Sali Sahiba. If you are busy, I'll talk to my wife.

Lavanya pouted, while Anjali and Khushi started laughing.

Lavanya (faking anger): Not fair, Jiju. How do you know it's me?

Shyam: Well, as you see, I am a lawyer. It's not difficult for me, and there is no problem for me to recognize the voices of my loved ones. Rani Saheba's voice can be recognized by me even in my sleep.

Lavanya and Khushi smiled, while Anjali shied away.

Khushi (smiling at Lavanya): I think we should give them some space, Lavanya. Let them have their moment.

Lavanya (teasingly): You're right, Khushi. Come on, let's leave them alone.

Anjali: Oh, come on, you two. It's nothing like that...

Khushi (gently pulling Lavanya's hand): Let's go, Lavanya. We can chat later.

Lavanya: Alright, alright. We're going.

The two girls stepped out of the room, closing the door behind them. Anjali was about to speak when Shyam interrupted.

Shyam: Rani Saheba, who was that other voice? It sounded familiar.

Anjali: Oh, that was Lavanya's friend. She's staying with us for a while.

Shyam (carefully): I see. Interesting.

Anjali: Why? Do you know her?

Shyam (hiding his recognition): No, no, it just sounded familiar. Maybe I’m mistaken.

Anjali: Hmm. Well, she’s a sweet girl. You’ll get to meet her soon enough.

Shyam: I look forward to it. Now, tell me, how are you doing?

Anjali (smiling): I'm fine, Shyamji. Just busy with family and taking care of everyone.

Shyam: That's my Rani Saheba, always thinking of others. I miss you so much.

Anjali (blushing): I miss you too, Shyamji.

Meanwhile, outside the room, Lavanya and Khushi were walking down the hallway.

Khushi: Your Jijaji seems very nice.

Lavanya (smiling): Yes, he is. They make a lovely couple.

Khushi: I could tell they love each other a lot.

Lavanya: Yes, they do. I'm glad you got to meet him, even if it was just through a phone call.

Khushi (thoughtfully): I hope I get to know everyone better. It's nice to be surrounded by such loving people.

Lavanya (patting her shoulder): You will, Khushi. We're all here for you.

As they walked, the bond between them grew stronger, both feeling a sense of comfort and belonging in each other's company.

_______________________

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Uzma