Part 52:

"Hello..."

"Hello... Can I talk with Mr. Shyam Gupta?"

"Yes... speaking"

"Hello Mr. Gupta, I called you to talk about your sister Khushi and my son. Can I have few minutes of your time?" asked Mohini smiling evilly. She wanted to call Shyam yesterday night. But with her office work she forgot to call. When she woke up this morning, she remembered about this and called him immediately after finishing her breakfast.

"About Khushi and YOUR son? But first, may I know who you are?"

"Of course... but before that I want a promise from you that you won't tell anything to your sister about our talks. I just want to give surprise to her"

"First tell me who you are, than I will think whether I can promise you or not"

"Ok... fine... my name is Mohini, Arnav's mother"

"Arnav?"

"Yes... Arnav, with whom your sister is deeply in love. I think she already mentioned you about my son."

"Yeah... she mentioned. Oh... Namaste Maa Ji..."

"Namaste. Fine... I'm coming to the point directly. When my son is talking about your sister and his love for her, I confronted him about this. Then he confessed his love for her to me. And he also confessed his urge to marry her. We want him to get married this year, as he already is managing our business while studying. And I'm sure he can do this in future. So, his father started to search for the girl. But, when I heard about your sister and saw her photo, I couldn't think about other girl as my bahu. She is perfect girl for my son. And I know, other than her, nobody can keep my son happy and no other girl can keep our family dignity in high. She is perfect for my son and family. So, I decided to get them marry. I just wanted to ask you about this proposal. I want you to talk with your father as I don't have your father's number. And I want you to keep our conversation as secret from your sister, because, we – I and my son wants to surprise her on their wedding day. Till that time we will keep this thing."

"But how did you know my number?"

"I asked my son to get it from Khushi's mobile"

"And why didn't you ask him to get my Dad's?"

"Because we don't know his name"

"How did you know my name then?"

"Khushi told about you to Arnav"

"See madam... I don't know whether to believe you or not. I'm really confused. Because whatever you are saying is not fitting in place. It's a simple logic; everybody will have their parents' numbers in their phones with the relation like Dad and Mom. They won't keep their numbers with their names. Then, how could your son not get my dad's number from Khushi's phone? How can I know you are the same Arnav's mother? You may be some other person. Sorry don't feel bad. But I can't take risk about my sister's life, right? I just want some assurance. And without taking Khushi's concern I can't agree with this marriage proposal. I need to talk with her about this"

"But Arnav wants to give surprise to her"

"I know... but...That is not important to me. My sister, and the things related to her are matters to me. Nothing else. Sorry I can't promise you anything without talking with my sister" Shyam said sternly.

"Ok... I can understand your love and responsibility towards your sister. She is lucky to have you like her brother. Fine... I will ask Arnav to confess his feelings to her. I will message you once he does that. Then you confirm with your sister as they both confessed or not. If she says yes, then you can agree to this marriage. Is it okay with you?"

"Hmm... I will see to it. If whatever you are saying is true then I don't have any objection. I will be the happiest person, if my sister gets married to her love. Let me know once your son proposes her."

"Okay then, I will drop the call. I will let you know about the developments in their life. Namaste"

"Namaste"

With that they dropped their call. Mohini is frustrated about the phone call. 'But, I have to say this Shyam is really possessive about his sister. It's really important to get his trust. If he gets any doubt then he won't think at once to stop this marriage. Till the marriage finishes I have to make sure that so called Khushi won't see my son Arnav aka Rahul' she thought and a devilish smile appeared on her face.

***************

"Did you have your breakfast?"

"Arnav Ji... I'm already in college. Do you remember I said that we have some discussion program with my faculty? I came early today"

"Oh... yeah you said... sorry I forgot. Then, tell me how is discussion going on?"

"Offo... Arnav Ji... discussion starts at 8 in the morning. 15 minutes still there. What's wrong with you? Do you want to ask or say something to me?"

"Um... Khushi..."

"Tell me Arnav Ji... do you want to say something?"

"Actually I want to ask"

"Then ask. Why are you hesitating?"

"Can you come out with me tomorrow? I think your discussion program will end today and as tomorrow is Sunday you will be free, right? So, can you come with me? I want to spend some time with you. Only you and me" he asked hesitantly

"Ok... I will come" she answered after thinking for few minutes

"Oh...great... thank you Khushi. Thanks a lot... Get ready at 7.30 tomorrow morning. I will come to hostel and pick you up. Don't forget and don't be late. Today I can't come to college as I have some work in office. I will meet you tomorrow morning. Till then take care... love you... bye..." before Khushi says anything Arnav disconnected the call.

Sighing lightly Khushi went to her class room to attend her discussions with their professors. The day went quite busily to everyone.

********************

"Hello Khushi good morning. Are you ready?"

"Arnav Ji... It's still 6.30 in the morning. You said 7.30, right?"

"Yeah Khushi. But I couldn't stay at home so, I came early. Can you make it now?"

She surprised listening to his words but felt happy for his eagerness. She also so wanted to spend time with him.

"Just give me 20 minutes. I just woke up with your call"

"Oh... sure... I will wait here"

"I will be there"

*********************

"I can't trust her. I'm not feeling good with this lady. Whatever she is saying, I am feeling like something missing. Her voice and the words she chosen all were like sugar coated. Something fishy is there. But she is saying Arnav is her son and she will ask him to propose to Khushi. I don't know what to do."

"But what if she is Arnav's mother? What if whatever she is saying is true?"

"To know that, we have to wait for Arnav's proposal. If he does that, then my sister definitely will tell me. Let's see" said Shyam.

"I pray God, nothing wrong will happen in Khushi's life. I hope she will get her love" wishes Shyam's wife.

********************

"Where are we going Arnav Ji?"

"To our farmhouse. It has a beautiful garden and lake. I hope you will like that and here this is for you. Di gave this"

"What is this?" she opened the box and shouted "Jilebies...!!! Thank you so much Arnav Ji" she immediately started eating. Arnav looked at her eagerness and nodded his head unbelievingly.

"Slow Khushi... nobody wants to share those jilebies... they are for you. I am not going to eat. So, relax... and eat"

"That is the thing I can't do Arnav Ji"

"Unbelievable" said Arnav smiling.

After reaching their farm house, Arnav showed Khushi all the house and its surroundings. They sat near the lake under a tree and talked a long time about random things like their studies, their likes and dislikes, their future plans, their families and everything what they can. Sometimes they sat not talking anything feeling each others' presence. Their talks got disturbed by Arnav's phone ring.

"Yeah Di... before you ask let me tell you – I gave Jilebies to Khushi, she is fine, we are fine. We are JUST TALKING, nothing else."

"..."

"Yeah... ok..."

"..."

"Oh thanks... bye" he turned to Khushi and said "Come, let's have lunch. Di said she kept all the things in car. Come"

Both went to car and brought everything to house to have their lunch. After having lunch they sat on the couch near the poolside.

"Arnav Ji... all your siblings names starts with A, but not NK Ji's, why like that?"

"Actually all my family members' names will start with 'A'. My dad name is Akul, my mom – Akshaya, Di – Anjali, me – Arnav, Akash. But in NK's case my Nani is Lord Krishna's devotee. She so wanted to put his name to one of us. So, NK name became Nanda Kishore" he smiled and said.

"Oh... great. In my family nothing's like that. Bhai is Shyam, jiji is Keshi, me Khushi and my little sister is Purna"

They both spent a good time together. When the sun is getting ready to set, they also decided to leave the farm house. After thinking a lot, Khushi said to Arnav at the door

"Arnav Ji... I want to say I mean I want to share something with you"

"Sure Khushi... tell me"

"I don't know why but I'm feeling scared Arnav Ji, as something will happen to... to... to me. I don't know... but this feeling is killing me from long time. I don't know what to do. But it's really scaring me Arnav Ji"

Arnav held her hands and made her sit and kneel down before her legs.

"Khushi nothing will get wrong. Relax... sometimes, we will feel that. But it's just a feel. Nothing will happen. Okay?"

Khushi nodded her head smiling slightly. Seeing her dull face, Arnav decided to do, what he wanted to do when he drops her at her hostel.

"Khushi... I'm not saying I will remove all your pains, problems, fears and difficulties. But Khushi... I will try... I will try till my last breath. I will try my level best to give you happiness. I will try to fulfill all your wishes. I will try to give you whatever you ask me. I want to be your support, strength and happiness at the same time I need you to be my strength, support and happiness. I want to give you all my happiness and take all your sorrows. Khushi I need you in my life... I want to spend my whole life with you. I want you to correct me whenever I am wrong... I want to grow old with you. I need you in my life badly Khushi. I understood one thing that, I can't live without you... I Love you Khushi... Will you marry me? Please"

Khushi stayed like a statue. Neither she didn't answer nor couldn't she answer. She sat looking at Arnav in a dumb statue. Her eyes are wide and her mouth was open. She looked horrified.

"Khushi... what's wrong?"

She still stayed in shock. Not getting any response from her made Arnav little frustrated and tensed

"Khushi... what's wrong? Answer me damn it?" he clutched her upper arms really tight, making Khushi come back to the land from her shock with pain.

"Ahh... Arnav Ji... it's paining, and at least give me one minute to take the news. Lad Governor kahike. You just proposed me few seconds back and within these few seconds you are getting frustrated for not getting response? At least let me understand what's the hell happened just now. How can you be this impatient?"

"Sorry for this pain. Okay? Now, tell me your answer – will you marry me?" he almost commanded

Khushi's mouth flung open. She looked at him with unbelievable look and said while gritting her teeth.

"Lad Governor kahike... is this the way to ask your lover about her answer to your proposal? How rude...? I'm not going to answer if you still order me like this"

"Then what you want me to do? When I asked nicely you didn't answer me"

"Arey... at least give me a minute to understand the situation. You proposed and within seconds expecting the answer. I was actually shocked from this proposal."

"What the...!!! Fine... tell me... what you want me to do?"

"Pamper me. Ask me with full of love. Request me" she doesn't know what she asked. Hearing her words, the naughty devil inside him came back with a smirk on his face. Seeing that smirk, Khushi understood what chances she gave him

"I... I... I didn't mean anything like that"

"Like what Khushi?" he asked while moving his upper body towards her. She kept moving back till she came into the lying posture on the couch. He almost came on her top. She closed her eyes in fear. He smiled seeing her fearful face. He caressed her cheeks and asked

"Khushi will you marry me Angel?"

She looked at him to see the naughty smile in his eyes.

"Please... marry me Khushi... I can't lose you at any time. I can't live without you. Please... sweetheart... marry me"

Khushi's eyes got moist and she hugged him as much tightly as she can and whispered

"Yes... I will marry you. I love you Arnav Ji..."

He hugged her tightly with content, while sighing in satisfaction. They both lost in each other not noticing Rahul's hateful and dangerous eyes with full of rage looking at them from the windows. Rahul followed them from the morning. He witnessed each and every moment of them. He left from the window after seeing them coming out from the farm house. He sat in his car to follow them.

...to be continued