Part 59:

Mohini made sure that nobody disturbed Khushi. In fact, she made sure that nobody noticed that Khushi's unconscious state. When Khushi's sister came to Khushi's room, Mohini said her that Khushi is busy with beautician whom she appointed and who will stay with Khushi throughout the marriage till she bid Bidai. Nodding her head Keshi went from there to inform her parents about Khushi.

Shyam also tried to meet Khushi, as he sensed something wrong with his sister. But there also Mohini got succeed to divert Shyam with another work. When Khushi's bhabhi came to give her lunch, Mohini took the plate saying 'Today onwards, I only will take care of her. She is my responsibility, as she is my bahu, I will take care of her by myself'. She made everyone overwhelmed with those words. Everybody felt happy for Khushi's luck. Everybody thought Khushi got a wonderful MIL, who is taking care of her like a mother.

When Mohini entered in Khushi's room with her food, she also called Rahul to come there. When he comes there, she asked him to wake Khushi up. Rahul went to Khushi and sprinkled some water on her face bringing her to conscious. Once he is sure that Khushi came to conscious, he emptied the water jug on her face by splashing water making her breathless. Khushi gasped loudly and tried to take long breaths to control her breathlessness. After few moments and long breaths Khushi got normal and looked at the duo seeing her with evil smiles. Khushi closed her eyes and turned her face to side not liking to see their faces

"Tsk... Tsk... sweetheart... you have to adjust with our faces, because you are going to see our faces daily" said Rahul

"Leave her Rahul... here have this food"

"This food? I think this is for her, aren't you giving this to her?"

"Nah... she has to get to use to hunger and prepare herself to control the hunger. Then why should we wait for that day? We can start it now itself, after all these days are her marriage rituals' days, right?" said Mohini looking at Khushi with too much hatred in her eyes.

Before Rahul could say anything, his phone rang, flashing the name of the goon – whom he kept to observe Arnav and Aman.

"Yeah... tell me"

"Sir... woo... Arnav and Aman left from here with Anjali and Akash. We are following them. They are returning to Mumbai sir" said the of the goons

"Then what the hell are you doing? I already said to take care of that Arnav and Aman. If they come to know about my marriage and come here then I will be dead. Can't you understand this much? You all are idiots." Saying this Rahul cut the call and ran his fingers in his hair with frustration.

"What's wrong beta? Whose call is that?"

"It's the goon mom... saying that Arnav and Aman left Chennai probably to Mumbai. I'm sure they are coming back for this bitch. But I will never let them to take her. And mom... after reaching Mumbai they will come directly to Pune for sure. So, before they come to Pune and get us here, we have to leave from here. I don't want to lose this chance. I don't want to." saying this Rahul paced in the room.

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

"Where is Choti? Is she in Mumbai or she gone to Lucknow?" asked Anjali resting her head on Akash's shoulder while tears rolling on her cheeks. Akash patted her back to sooth her pain.

"Payal said, Choti is in Pune in her brother's house. As Khushi said to Payal, already all the family members of so called Arnav came to Pune and all the rituals started. I don't know how come Choti didn't know this. I never expected this much carelessness from her. How can she accept this marriage when she is in love? Couldn't she enquire about the groom?" Aman is really angry on her for keeping her life in risk. He never wanted to lose her. He just wants to be her side and take her away from the all evils.

Nobody said anything, not knowing what to say and how to take the situation. They really hoped for her good. Anjali prayed for her safety. She really got scared when Aman said that nobody saw Rahul in college from when they left to Chennai. It really gave fear to everyone's' hearts.

"Bhai..." called Akash, but didn't get any response from Arnav. Arnav is really frustrated and tensed about Khushi. He just wants to go to her and take her in his arms and take her away from this cruel world to safe place. When he heard the news he immediately went to the YF authorities and cancelled his enrollment mentioning some personal emergency but not before informing his college heads, who came with them. Anjali, Akash and Aman also cancelled their enrollments and left from there to reach Khushi ASAP.

But when they entered into airport, Arnav's temper rose to his peek knowing direct flights are not available but only long duration flights are available. Holding Arnav by his shoulder, Aman asked the particular person in counter to book tickets to Mumbai and requested to book tickets in the flight which will take them ASAP. But for their bad luck only 5 hours flight is available which they booked the tickets. At some point Arnav decided to go by road but stopped by hearing Aman saying it will take more than 20 hours. The flight took off to Hyderabad which will send them to Mumbai from there.

First time, Arnav prayed the almighty to save Khushi, to keep her safe and give her all the strength and courage to stand for herself. He closed his eyes and rested his head on headrest of the seat.

"Let's hope for good Arnav. Don't be tensed, just hope she will be fine and we can bring her back to us" said Aman holding Arnav's hand breaking his train of thoughts.

"Aman... I'm scared... I don't want to lose her Aman. Please help me to reach her" said Arnav hugging Aman tightly.

Aman gulped hard seeing his best friend in this situation, where he is in same situation as others. He looked above him and prayed to god for Khushi's safety.

"Sh... relax Arnav... nothing will happen... relax..."

"I can't trust that Rahul Aman... I'm sure only he is behind all these. She is really in worst situation thinking that something will happen. I promised Khushi that I will take care of her. But I failed Aman... I can't forgive myself if something happened to Khushi. She is really scared about that idiot. She said so many times about her fears but I never took them seriously. I never ever guessed that things will happen like this. I thought her fears are just baseless. But... but... I failed... I am really damn failed to protect her" Arnav broke down in Aman's arms.

"Sh... Arnav... calm down... sh... relax..." Aman tried to sooth Arnav where he is in same vulnerable condition.

After a long journey of 5 hours which seemed like 5 years to them, they reached Mumbai. After getting landing, Arnav and Aman asked NK and Lavanya to go towards Pune to reach Khushi, as it will take time for them to complete things in airport. Aman informed NK that they will join them on Highway and asked to inform them if they knew any news about Khushi. After coming out from there airport, they saw their parents waiting for them. They left to Pune, asking their parents to go back not wanting to make them tensed. The elders tried their best to convince their children. But nothing has happened. They left from there praying God to save everyone. All the members in car experienced the hell. All the four – Arnav, Aman, Anjali and Akash were in worst situation thinking about Khushi and her marriage.

Meanwhile in Pune

"Mom... they already started to Pune from Mumbai airport. We need to hurry up mom. But what we will say to them?"

"Leave that for me. Here your dad and your brother will do the needful. You don't worry, but take care of this girl and don't let her to open her mouth" saying this she went from there. She went directly to her husband and elder son DS and made a face like she is scared.

"What's wrong? Why your face became like that?" asked Mr. Malhotra. Sarcasm is clear in his voice.

Cursing him under her breath, Mohini continued her act.

"I forget to tell bride's family that we need to go our Kuldevi temple now. I prayed to our Kuldevi that I will bring the groom and bride to her temple before the actual rituals starts. I don't know how they will react for this sudden change of program. I am scared thinking what if they reject to come with us? I'm really getting tensed now. I don't know what to do" she sat there making a sad and tensed face making her husband and son believe her (she thought).

"Don't worry mom, me and dad will talk with them, they will agree for sure" DS assured his mother, thinking that something fishy. But somewhere he wished whatever she is telling is true. He wanted to believe her thinking that she at least cares about his brother.

Mohini went from there not before saying thank you to DS. She left from there smiling evilly thinking 'I know DS, you are such a fool. You can or you will never understand my intentions. I know you will do this for me. The problem is solved now, just need to arrange remaining.'

"Don't trust her beta... she never will be scared or tensed for anything. She is just acting. She only prefers to scare others. Don't believe her dramas. I strongly feel something fishy is going on here. I need to find out. I want to see the girl before this marriage. I don't think this mother and son are doing good" said Mr. Malhotra

Nodding his head DS along with his father went to Khushi's parents and told them about the temple matter and assured them that they will come back by next day morning. After discussing with each other, Garima and Bua Ji agreed to go.

"I want to talk with your daughter once. Can I?" asked Mr. Malhotra suddenly.

"Oh god... why are asking me that Bhai saab? She is your to be DIL, you can talk with her anytime. But from the morning she is with Bhabhi Ji only. She said some beauticians are attending her" said Garima.

"She is with my mother and you didn't even care to look how she is?" asked shocked DS

"What's there to care beta? Your mother is taking care of our child like an own mother. She only fed her food this afternoon; she only took milk and juice for her this morning and half an hour back. We are really happy that our Khushi got a wonderful woman as her MIL" said Bua Ji, leaving both son and father in shock.

Hearing Khushi's name, Mr. Malhotra's mind got alerted. 'I need to see the girl before something bad happens. I never ever accept this marriage if this girl is same Khushi, who I thought' he thought. After that he took his leave from Garima and Bua Ji and left from there hurriedly taking DS and Kruthi with him

"What's wrong papa? Why are you looking so tensed suddenly?" asked DS

"We need to see the girl immediately. I don't want any bad to happen. We need to meet her ASAP"

"Why Papa? What's wrong?" asked more confused DS. Sighing deeply, Mr. Malhotra expressed his doubts about hearing the name Khushi. He also said about his meetings with her and whatever he heard about Rahul and Khushi's encounters.

"I can't believe Rahul will do this to a girl. If this Khushi is that Khushi, then I will never ever let this happen. This is high time Rahul should learn a lesson"

"But now think about how to meet the girl" asked frustrated Malhotra

After thinking and discussing the possibilities, both son and father went to Mohini, who is sitting in the living room along with her son and ordering the maids to arrange necessary things to travel. She arranged one bus for the Khushi's family and two cars for her family – one is for her and Rahul and another is for Mr. Malhotra, DS and his wife. She hated these three for different reasons. She hated her husband for asking her to be good. She hated her son for marrying a middle class girl without her permission. She hated her so called DIL for taking her son away from her. She heard her husband calling her and turned to see what the matter is.

"Ma" called DS in a low voice

Surprising hearing him in low guilty voice, Mohini looked at him with wide eyed

"What?"

"I'm sorry Ma"

"What?" she asked shockingly

"Yes Ma... I am really sorry. I thought you will never care for us, you will never think about our happiness. But I'm wrong Ma. After seeing all these arrangements, bride's family and mostly importantly seeing happiness in Rahul's face, I understood that how much you think about us. I am really sorry for crossing your words Ma. I am really sorry"

"Please forgive us sasuma... we should have asked your permission for our marriage. We thought... sorry sasuma. We are really sorry" Kruthi fell on Mohini's feet crying loudly.

Mr. Malhotra, smiled inwardly seeing his son and DIL trapping his wife successfully, now it's his turn. He moved forward and held her hands in his and said "Me too sorry Mohini. I never knew you will think about our kids. I thought you will only think about yourself and money. But I'm wrong. If you think about money, then how can you accept a normal middle class girl like you DIL? I'm so happy today. At last I'm able to understand your warm heart. Thank you for being my wife. And once again sorry for not understanding you"

Seeing her husband and elder son along with his wife asking for her forgiveness, she felt like she climbed Mount Everest. She believed them, she believed their fake guilt. She is too happy to check all the things. She hugged both her husband and son and said "I am happy that at last you two understood me. I always tried for our best. I'm sorry for being rude with you. I just want us to be happy always." She turned to her DIL and said "Look, whatever you did, I'm not going to forgive you. I want more time to accept you as DIL, till that time, you have to work hard to get my forgiveness" both DS and Kruthi acted like there are overwhelmed by her permission. They both hugged her tightly. After that, DS went to his brother and started tease him for the marriage.

"Come on Bhai... it's enough teasing" said Rahul, for the first time feeling some positive feelings in his heart.

"Oye... shying... I never thought my baby brother will get shy..."

"Stop it DS, don't dare to tease my BIL anymore" said Kruthi and turned Rahul and said "I didn't even see my sister image, won't you show her picture to me? Please?" said making puppy face.

Feeling too much happy, Rahul said "Why not bhabhi? What's the need to see her picture, come on I will show her directly" he led them to Khushi's room. Mohini also felt nothing wrong so, she allowed them to meet Khushi. Rahul knocked the room which opened in few seconds. They entered into room. Mr. Malhotra held DS's hand immediately after seeing Khushi there. With that gesture of his father, DS understood who the girl is.

"Khushi... this is my father" introduced Rahul

"Ji Namaste sir" said Khushi with so much hope in her eyes

Suspecting her wish, Mohini asked "you both know each other before?"

"No I never met her before" said Mr. Malhotra, nodding his head to Khushi to keep quiet.

"This is my brother DS"

"Namaste Bhai..." said Khushi

"I always wanted a little sister. Today I got my sister. Thank you Ma and Rahul" said DS genuinely looking into Khushi's eyes.

"Okay... okay... we will have lot of time to be together. We can talk later. But now, we are getting late, if we start now then only we can come back by tomorrow. Let's go now" said Mr. Malhotra gaining his wife's trust more.

DS and Kruthi bid bye to Khushi and left from there. Before leaving the room, Kruthi turned back and asked her MIL "Sasuma... can we take Khushi along with us in our car?"

"Why not? She will come with you all in your car. Don't worry, now you go and get ready" Mohini forced Kruthi to go from there and turned to Khushi "don't dare to utter any words to your family. You say one word to them and think you lose your family and your Arnav and Aman Bhai in next second. I won't think at least once before killing them. Understand?" asked Mohini

Khushi nodded her head in helplessness. After few minutes, her family came there – in fact Mohini allowed them there, and make Khushi ready for the journey. When she saw her father in wheelchair, she couldn't control her tears. She immediately ran towards him and hugged him tightly. Everybody shocked to see the sudden action of Khushi.

"What's wrong Pooh? Why are you crying like this? Is everything okay?" asked Shyam feeling scared seeing his sister like this

"I'm fine Bhai... I was just carried away thinking that in few days, I will leave all of you and it made me horrible" said Khushi eyeing Mohini from the corner of her eyes.

"Pagli... everything will be fine. Don't worry... okay, you just relax the rituals and marriage" said keshi, Khushi's sister

She hugged each and everyone and cried her heart out. She knew she will never come to this house again. After seeing Rahul and his mother in their room, and Arnav and Aman far away from her, she lost all the hopes to be safe. She trusted her Devi Mayya. She will go away from them, if that keeps her family safe. Everyone left from there. Khushi wanted to be with her family, but things will never happen as we want, will they?

...to be continued

It's just an imaginary story. Please don't pull logic.