Part 40 Thanking method

They got stuck seeing Garima entering in. Garima looked at them not understanding why they were looking at her like that.

"Give them prasad, Garima" Buaji said.

Garima thought THEM means Shashi and Arnav. Taking the laddoos from the plate, she gave them to Shashi, Buaji, and Arnav. Then she stood hesitating. When she gave the laddoos to everyone, how could she leave Khushi? Shashi and Buaji were silently watching them said nothing as they didn't want to make her do it. But, Arnav didn't.

"Won't you give it to Khushi?" He asked.

Garima became nervous. This is the first time she faces this situation. Garima looked at Khushi and read her expression. She was awestruck, seeing a different expression on her face instead of anger.

Arnav gestured her to give. Getting courage, she extended a laddo towards Khushi slowly. Taking it from her hand,

"Thanks," Khushi said which made Garima stunned. She could not believe what she just heard is true. Khushi said THANKS... she thanked her, taking the laddo from her. Her eyes pooled up.

"I... I will just come..." She said looking at Arnav and about to rush to the pooja room on the pretext of keeping the pooja plate. Arnav stopped her.

"Wait, aunty..." She looked at him emotionally.

"I would like to tell you something... "

She nodded her head like TELL ME.

"I want you to bless me...and Khushi"

Garima looked at Khushi dumbfounded. Arnav beckoned Khushi to come forward. Garima was looking at her fearfully. She thought Khushi would yell at Arnav. But to her surprise, Khushi came to Arnav and bent down to touch Garima's feet. Garima moved behind, nodding no.

"Why aunty?" Arnav asked.

"You no need to do this, bituwa. My prayer will always be with you"

"We know aunty... But getting your blessing is important to us"

"But..."

"Yes, aunty. We need the blessings of a selfless woman like you... you have sacrificed your life for Khushi. You expected nothing from her in return. You were ready to be ONLY her mother"

Garima looked at Shashi with mixed emotions who smiled at her.

"Khushi knew nothing about you and your health condition aunty. She would not have been hard to you if she had known about you. I can't see her being sad. That's why I would like to get your blessings. I believe that all the sadness in your heart will turn into happiness if you bless us."

Garima felt choked. She didn't know what to say. She faced a tough time suppressing her tears.

"Be happy... Always..." she said smiling with tears.

Khushi also felt emotional seeing Garima's vulnerable state. She never gave a thought to this side of Garima. They touched her feet. Garima kept vermillion on their foreheads from the plate.

Shashi smiled at Arnav thankfully.

"Shall we go?" Arnav asked Khushi

She nodded yes.

"See you, uncle," Arnav said.

"Shashi, you said you too will go to the office today... Don't you join them?" Buaji asked.

Khushi looked at him questioning.

"Yes, I'm going to come to the office today," Shashi said.

Khushi nodded ok. She smiled at Garima and made her more delighted.

Arnav and Khushi left GH.

"I like Arnav so much," said Buaji.

"Yes... He is a nice guy... He knows how to handle the situation..." Shashi said.

"I too noticed it. Though he advocated Khushi he respected you. It's very hard to find such a respectful guy these days..."

"No... No one could be like Arnav. He is a unique person"

"Our Khushi is so lucky to have such a husband"

Shashi nodded affirmatively.

That's when they saw Garima who was standing like a statue, looking outside.

"Garima..." Shashi shook her.

Garima came to the earth.

"I can't believe Khushi bitiya thanked me," she said with teary eyes, smilingly.

"Just like you, she is also a nice girl, Garima," Buaji said.

"She is not like me but incomparable...* Garima said.

Shashi smiled.

"Are you going to the office? " Garima asked.

"Hann"

"When will you go? "

"Why? Do you want to go anywhere? "

"No... could you wait...? I will prepare lunch for Khushi bitiya... She is going to eat my handmade food for only three days..." she said feeling sad.

Shashi nodded ok smilingly. Garima took a step away and stopped.

"Will she eat my handmade food? "

"Definitely..."

Garima smiled and rushed to the kitchen. Shashi and Buaji looked at each other smilingly.

"What a relief...?" Shashi sighed.

She nodded yes.

"Let me help, Garima..." Buaji went to the kitchen.

In the car

Khushi was silent.

"Are you upset with me? " Arnav asked, concentrating on the road.

Khushi nodded no.

"Why are you silent?"

"How beautiful would my life have been if I had given ear to Dad and Garima... (she paused for a few seconds) Ma..."

Arnav smiled pleasantly, hearing MA form Khushi for Garima.

"Don't think of anything which we can't change... relax..."

"Did you see how happy she is?"

Arnav nodded yes.

"Don't take me wrong for making you touch her feet, Khushi."

Khushi nodded NO.

"Mom always says. The moment we touch the person's feet, she would forget all the ODD things that happened with us and she spills good words forgetting herself by the pleasant gesture. That's why I asked you to touch her feet. She might have cried or felt bad when you behaved rudely with her... just to wipe it off, I made you do that"

"How are you so thoughtful? "

"When it comes to our beloved ones, you will also think like the same..." Arnav smiled.

"You have scored in your in-laws..." Khushi chuckled.

"What about my going to be a wife? Have not I scored in her heart?" he asked with a lops-sided smile.

"You have done that a long ago, Arnav...don't you know?"

Arnav smiled.

*Why uncle is coming to the office today? Do you know why?"

Khushi shrugged her shoulders off.

"No... he said nothing to me"

"Ok... let's wait and watch"

"You no need to worry about him... he doesn't do anything against your favor...mark my words"

"Why do think so? "

"I think so..."

"Then I should definitely worry about it..." Arnav laughed.

"GI will be in Aman's charge for the next one week. Dad may come to take its responsibility I suppose..."

Arnav nodded yes.

They reached GI. Arnav stopped the car in front of the office entrance for Khushi to get down.

"Do you know any other word equal to THANKS? " She asked.

"Equal to thanks...? Mmmm I'm grateful to you..."

"I'm grateful to you Arnav... for whatever you are doing for me," Khushi said emotionally.

Arnav was about to say something,

"I don't think a THANKS is enough to thank you... but have to... That's why I asked you the other word..."

"But I don't thank you through WORDS if I feel to thank you..." he winked at her to make her mood light.

But, he didn't expect, Khushi kissed his cheek.

"Is it ok? " She asked.

"I have to search for a few more problems to help you," he said suppressing his smile.

"you no need to find reason..." she again kissed his cheek and got down from the car.

Arnav stayed there looking at her smilingly. And then, he drove the car towards the parking lot maintaining a smile on his face.

To be continued...

The next part is available on INKITT

An announcement

Khushi came inside the office and saw Aman rushing to the conference hall. He was directing a few workers to do something. She frowned couldn't understand what's happening in the office. She came towards him. Aman turned to go to his cabin and jerked, seeing Khushi who was supposed to collide with him. He jumped a step backward.