Part 36 The phone call

Arnav came to RM from GH and got fresh thinking about their teasing talks. He looked at the calendar and there were only four days to the marriage. He smiled pleasantly. That's when Ratna came to his room.

*Chotte...come and look at your outfit*

*Mom... please do it by yourself...* he sighed.

*This is not done, Chotte. These are for your marriage...*

*So what, Mom? *

*Khushi looks so gorgeous. Don't you want to look like her? *

*Mom... don't make me jealous of Khushi* Arnav chuckled.

*Stop blabbering and come here...* Ratna called.

Arnav saw the dresses and liked them.

*Everything is good...* he said.

*Really? *

*Yup...*

*That's all... you can go now* Ratna said.

*Thank you so much, Mom...* Arnav laughed.

*I curse you Chotte... you are going to roam behind your wife... this is my curse for you...*

Arnav rushed to her and hugged her.

*Only a mother can bless her son even in the name of curse...* he kissed her cheek.

Ratna hit his shoulder playfully.

*I wish your curse would come true...* Arnav laughed.

That's when he got a call from Shyam.

*Excuse me, Mom...*

*Go...* Ratna tapped his back.

Arnav attended the call.

*Hello Shyam...*

*Hi, Arnav*

*How is the job? * Arnav asked randomly.

*There is nothing called a job. I'm sitting in the Godown and talking with my daughter through phone most of the time*

*Shali must be happy...*

*Yes, she is*

*How is Anju? *

*She is a little upset about my transfer*

*Mmmm*

*I heard the new manager of GI is Aman...*

*Yes... Khushi declared it officially today*

*I thought she would declare your name...*

*Me...? Not at all...*

*Why Arnav? Are not you talented? What Aman knows? You are the one who clears his doubts all the time... then why did she select him as the manager? I think she is underestimating you*

*I believe whatever she does would be right*

*I too thought so but this time she is not right. I don't know why she degraded you*

*She didn't degrade me. She might have thought not to stress me*

*That's what I'm saying... why does she think you are not capable of handling an office? *

*Khushi is a clever Boss. She knew what to do and how*

*I didn't mean it, Arnav*

*What did you mean? *

*Do you have any idea what our office staff thinks of you? *

*Let them think anything... I least care of it* Arnav said calmly.

*But, Arnav...*

*Mom is calling me. I will call you later* Arnav said.

*Ok...*

They disconnected the call. Shyam smirked as he thought he could confuse Arnav.

But Arnav became frustrated because he knew whatever Shyam told him was totally rubbish. Doesn't he know Khushi? How could Shyam do this? Why does he try to create a rift between him and Khushi? Is he doing this to take revenge on Khushi? Arnav was disturbed.

His mood lightened right away as Khushi called him. He attended the call.

*Hi...*

*How are you Nandkishor? * she chuckled so did Arnav.

*What are you doing? *

*Just now Buaji freed me...*

Arnav laughed.

*She meets me after many years. That's why she became emotional*

*So... you are passing your time totally enjoying...*

*No... she is irritating sometimes...*

*Oh... I too wanted to tell you something*

*What? *

*My Mom cursed me...* he said in a low tone.

*whaaaat! Curse...? * Khushi asked shockingly.

*Yes...*

*But why? *

*Just because I didn't show interest to select my dress, she cursed me* he said sadly.

*What the...*

*Yes... do you know how I feel? *

*You disconnect the call. I want to talk to aunty*

*Will you? *

*Yes... how could she curse you? *

*But... she is my mother...*

*This is so silly...*

*Really? *

*Cut the call...*

*Are you sure? *

*Yes...*

*Ok*

Arnav disconnected the call and rushed to Ratna. She was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Her phone rang. Ratna was about to take the phone, Arnav took it. Ratna looked at him, flinching.

*Khushi's call*

*Oh... give it to me*

*She is going to fight with you* he said whispering.

*For? * She frowned.

*For cursing me*

Ratna rasied her brows. Arnav gave the phone, gesturing for her to turn the speaker on.

*Hello, Khushi beta... how are you? *

*I'm fine because of your blessings aunty*

*So sweet of you, beta...*

*My buaji came from Lucknow, aunty. She wants to meet you*

*Oh sure. Do you want me to come to your house or she will come here? *

*She will come to RM with Babuji tomorrow*

*Ok then. I will be waiting for them*

*Ok, aunty. Bye...*

Arnav was shocked as Khushi didn't ask Ratna anything about the curse.

*Khushi...* he shouted.

*Arnav... are you there? *

*Yes. This is not done. You said you are going to ask her about the curse...*

*yes, I said but what are you doing there? *

*I just came to drink water...*

*Then drink water and go*

Arnav looked at Ratna who was smiling at him teasingly.

*We just spoke about it and I have already told her about the curse...* Ratna said.

Arnav closed his eyes awkwardly.

*Is it? *

*Yes...*

Ratna and Khushi laughed.

*We guessed you will tell her* Ratna said laughingly.

*In fact, I'm s happy about her curse... love you aunty...*

*Love you too beta...*

*I'm cutting the call...* Arnav disconnected the call.

*Chotte... wipe your face... awkwardness is overflowing...* Ratna teased.

Arnav pinched her cheek and rushed out of the kitchen.

GH

Khushi came to the dining. Buaji kept a jalebi on her plate. Khushi smiled at her.

*I brought it for you from Lucknow*

*Your preparation? *

*Then? Why would I buy from the shop when I know to make jalebi? *

*So sweet... you and your jalebi* Khushi munched it.

*We are going to RM to meet your Mother-in-law tomorrow* Buaji said.

*Yeah... I called her and told her about it. She will be waiting for you* Khushi said.

*Garima, pack some jalebis for them*

Garima nodded ok.

*Buaji... can't you go alone? * Khushi asked, making the trio embarrassed.

Buaji was about to say something, Garima gestured to her not to. Buaji ate silently said nothing. Khushi didn't like Garima visiting her in-laws. They understood that. Khushi finished eating and stood.

*You and Babuji are enough. I don't want anyone else to visit RM* Khushi went to her room.

Shashi and Buaji looked at Garima who was utterly sad. She left the place with teary eyes.

*didn't you say anything about Garima to Khushi? *

*She gets angry easily... how could I talk to her? *

*You have to... she was a small girl when you got married to Garima. I agree, that time you couldn't talk to her about it but now, she is a grown-up girl... getting married... you have to tell her about Garima at least now*

*Just now, she is talking to me freely. I don't know how will she react to the matter...*

*Let me talk to her*

*But, Di...*

*No, Shashi. What you are doing is not right... I will talk to Khushi and that's final...*

Shashi nodded yes and Buaji went to Khushi's room.

To be continued...