Part 37 The truth

In the meanwhile,

Khushi came to her room and checked her mobile. There were two missed calls from Arnav. She called him of course.

*Hi...have you had dinner? * Arnav asked.

*Yup...just now. You...? *

*Had...*

*By the way, what's this a new habit? You are inquiring about having dinner? * she chuckled.

*I would like to ask you about it now because I won't ask you that after our marriage...* he said.

*Why? * She asked shockingly.

*I will make you eat no matter what... then how will I get a chance to ask you that? *

Khushi smiled.

*Don't make me curious... I will expect that from you all the time*

*You would not have any choice...*

*You know what... these all look new to me*

*Get used to it...*

*you also get ready to face my mood swing...* she said teasingly.

*You are going to see how I'm making your mood*

*How? *

*You will see that from our first night...* he said huskily.

*Aaaannnn?*

*Hannn...*

*You became bad...*

*Because of you*

*Am I bad?*

*No... you are so beautiful...that's what makes me BAD...*

*Shut up...*

*As of now you can shut me up... but what will you do after our marriage? *

*Let's see it later...*

*Why can't now? *

*Arnav...*

*Yeah, it's me...*

*I said stop it*

*Are you sure? *

*Yes...*

*Think once again... you may feel bad after I stopped*

*Oh...really?*

*Yes...*

*I won't...*

*I should... I definitely should feel bad if I stop talking like that*

*I won't...because I know you won't stop talking...* she said.

There was silence from another side. A killer smile was crawling on his lips.

*Hello...Hello...*

*Listening...*

*Why are you silent? *

*I thought you have no expectations from me...but you do... don't you? *

*I'm thinking not to... but when it comes to you, I can't resist myself... I really have loads of expectations for you, Arnav...you won't disappoint me... right? *

*What do you think? *

*I think you won't...*

*I will keep my words and also will fulfill your expectations...I promise*

*I love you Arnav*

*I love you too, Baby...*

*Don't call me BABY...*

*Don't you like it? *

*I do... but I don't want you to call me so*

*why? Any story behind that? *

*Mmmm...Babuji used to call me so...*

*So...? Do you think just like him; I too will hurt you? *

*I don't want to discuss it anytime*

*Khushi, I really want to talk to you about it... I don't think you should be upset with them...especially with Uncle. I can see him happy about you settling down in your life. He is really happy seeing you happy, Khushi. I hope you would not ignore my words just because you don't like them*

Khushi was silent.

*Don't think of me wrong, Khushi... something tells me from the beginning that you are somewhere wrong. I'm telling you that now because you may think I'm taking advantage of our relationship if I tell you after our marriage... that's why I'm telling before our marriage...*

*Why do you think that I would be wrong somewhere? *

*Because I never saw venom or disinterest in Uncle and Aunt's eyes Khushi. Maybe, you would have missed noticing it as you were not ready to notice it in them anytime. I don't want you to be wrong in any sense, Khushi... past is passed... just ignore it. you are going to be with them for only three days. Please don't upset them with anything*

That's when Buaji came to Khushi's room and knocked on the door.

*Arnav, Buaji is here... I will call you later*

*Ok...good night*

*Good night* Khushi disconnected the call and rushed to her. Clutching her hands, she dragged her inside.

*You no need to knock on my door*

*How could I enter your room, without your permission...? *

*You can definitely enter my room without my permission...*

*Think once before giving you words...you are getting married in three days...* Buaji said teasingly.

*Buaji, I said MY room... not OUR room* Khushi laughed.

*You have not changed a bit yet...* Buaji pushed her head playfully.

*No way...Khushi will be Khushi... always...* Khushi said laughingly.

*I would like to talk to you about something very important Khushi*

*Yeah, tell me, Buaji*

*What you are thinking is not right...*

*What are you talking about? *

*I'm talking about Garima...*

Khushi was stuck. Just now, Arnav talked about it... now, Buaji...

*I'm not thinking anything about her... I don't want to...* she said expressionlessly.

*You have to... you have to know about her, Khushi*

*Buaji...I told you... I don't want to... don't try to wash my brain... you can't do that. I respect you a lot. Don't support that woman in front of me and please don't disappoint me...that woman stole my childhood just like she stole my father from me...*

*She never stole your father and also your childhood. You have to understand that...*

*Buaji, please...*

*This is what your problem is... you won't even listen to anyone. Without listening to anyone, how would you know what the truth is?*

*Truth...? Like really? Tell me what the hell truth is*

Buaji made her sit on the bed and sat next to her.

*I'm telling this because being a part of their life, you should know what they really are. Shashi didn't tell you about it before because you were a small girl at that time. He never wanted you to know about that. It's me who wants you to know the truth*

As of now, Khushi became thoughtful. What truth Madhumathi is talking about?

*When your mother died, Shashi wanted me to come to your place and take care of you but I couldn't make it possible because your Bupaji was ill at that time. It was me who compelled him to get married again... he didn't agree to it easily. After I nagged him a lot, he agreed to get married only for you because he couldn't manage his company as he spent a maximum of time with you... he put one condition to get married*

*What condition? * Khushi asked frowning.

*He wanted to get married to a woman who is not eligible for MARRIAGE life*

*Whaaaat!*

*Yes... he never wanted to get into a relationship with another woman other than your mother...because he really loves her a lot...still... That's why he searched for a woman who can never be a WIFE to a man in a particular sense... Garima was my neighbor. She was from a poor family. She had her open heart surgery through some NGO. Doctors told her that she shouldn't get married because she is unfit for marriage. Garima didn't agree to get married at first. After knowing Shashi's condition, she agreed because she respected Shashi and his love for his daughter. She was happy to be a mother of a child because she never thought it will happen in her life. If you would have noticed their relationship progress you had understood what kind of relationship they are leading... they never closed their room door and Garima never shared a bed with Shashi...she sleeps on the floor always. They are just friends...*

Khushi's condition was not described in words. Who could think there can be an unknown story like this? Never... right? How could Khushi think, the girl who was in the biggest anxiety of her life?

*I can understand how hard it is for you to accept her as your mother. I don't ask you to be friendly with her but please don't insult her, Khushi. Neither she stole your father nor your childhood. Believe it or not, that's the truth*

Buaji left the room. Khushi needs space to think... much-needed space...

To be continued...