Arnav came inside his home, crossing the living room he was stopped by his sister 'arey Chotte you are back and that too early'

Arnav halting turned towards her 'er Di....voh I did not had any work....so?'

Anjali 'achha'

Arnav 'okay Di I'll leave for my room' Anjali nodded her head but then called him....sighing he turned back to hear 'Chotte I was going to make tea....should I make your black coffee and send it to your room'

Arnav 'haan Di'

He rushed up to his room, entering inside he looked around to see there is no sign of Khushi......he frowned looking at poolside, there too she is not present....he turned back and rushed down to kitchen 'Di...Di....'

Anjali turned around 'haan Chotte'

Arnav 'Di where is Khushi?'

Anjali smirked 'kyun? Missed her?'

Arnav 'Di!!!'

Looking at his impatient and tensed form 'sorry baba, we were in daadi's room, Daadi was giving her oil massage and she slept there itself...so we let her sleep...in fact I too slept....only when Shyamji came I woke up.....she must still sleeping in Daadi's room....'

Arnav 'Oh!!!' he turned around and took the corridor towards his Daadi's room.....

He shocked looked at the scene with eyes held anger and disgust towards the person....there Shyam stood near the bed and looking at his wife with lust filled eyes....Shyam bend down to touch Khushi......Arnav's breathe stopped...he stood immobile....wanting to stop the vile person from touching his wife Arnav flung a vase from beside on the floor........Shyam looked at the door in shock to sigh in relief to see no one there......Khushi who was sleeping woke up with start 'huh?' she rubbing her eyes looked up towards the sound to see Shyam standing in front of her....surprised 'Jijaji?'

Shyam looked down at her shocked 'Khu....Khushiji....'

Khushi 'aap yahan kya kar rehein hain? Humare kamre mein' (what are you doing here? In my room'

Shyam smiling little relaxed 'yeh appka kamra nahiin hain par Daadiji ka' (this is not your room but it is Daadiji's)

Realization dawned on Khushi looking around the room, but then frowning she looked up again 'par aap Daadiji ke kamre mein....unse milne aaye the kya...par voh toh kahiin dikhayi nahiin de rahi hain' (but still what are you doing in Daadiji's room.....did you came here to meet her....but she cannot be seen anywhere here around the room.....'

Shyam fixed don't know what to answer, Khushi looking at him feeling uncomfortable stood up from the bed 'mujhe jaana chahiye....' (I should go)

Khushi started walking towards the door......Shyam 'Khushiji!!!'

Khushi turned towards him 'haan'

Shyam 'mujhe aapse kuch poonchna tha' (I need to ask you something)

Khushi frowing 'poonchiye jijaji'

Shyam 'aap kush hain....matlab Arnav ke saath.....' (are you happy?....I mean with Arnav'

Khushi surprised 'kyun? Aap aise kyun poonch rahe hain? Aapko dikhayi nahiin deta....hum...hum Arnavji ke saath bahut khush hain.....' (Why? Why are you asking like that? Can't you see I'm very much happy with Arnavji?)

Shyam 'par....par voh tumse umra mein bahut bada hai...kamse kam dus saal se bhi zyada' (but.....but he is older than you......that too you both have difference of more than ten years)

Khushi 'toh kya huwa jijaji....hamare amma babuji mein bhi toh pandrah saal ki antar hain....par voh toh bahut hi kush hain....' (So what jijaji.....my amma and babuji too has more than fifteen years difference....yet they are happy with each other)

Shyam looked at her frustrated....Khushi 'aur...aur Arnavji bahut acche hain...hum unke saath bahut kush hain.....aapko iske bare mein chintha karni ki koi zaroorat nahiin hai jijaji....sachhi mein hum bahut kush hain' (and.....and Arnavji is very nice......I'm very happy with him......there is no need for you to worry about this......really I'm very much happy)

Shyam seeing her walking out voiced out 'appko pata hain appke Arnavji ki pehle bhi shaadi hogayi thi....*Khushi stood rooted to her spot* aur unki pehle patni unko chod kar chali gayi thi...pata hai kyun' (do you know your Arnavji is already married once.......*Khushi stood rooted to her spot* and his first wife left him.....do you know why?) Shyam having her attention went on 'kyun ki aapke Arnavji ne unhein mara tha, peeta tha....voh unke saath nahiin reh payi isliye chod gayi....' (Because your Arnavji used to beat her......she could not live with him so she left his life)

Khushi turned to him, her eyes wide....lips trembling with tears forming in her eyes 'yeh...yeh sab jhoot hain....aap aise kyun humare Arnavji ke bare mein bata rahein hain.....' (this....this is all lie.......why are you saying wrong about my Arnavji...)

Shyam 'Khushi ji suniye humari baat.....aap humari vihswas kijiye Arnav accha nahiiin hain......humari baat par yakeen kijiye....Lavanya ne sabse badi glathi ki thi Arnav se shaadi karke...jab usse ehsaas huwa voh Arnav ko chod kar chaligai.....' (Khushiji listen to me.......trust me Arnav is not good man......trust my words.......Lavanya done a grave mistake in marrying him....when she realized her mistake she left him)

Khushi shouted 'nahiin *choking*.....hum aapki baat nahiin sunenge......naa hi hum aap par vishwas karenge.....humein pata hain.....humare Arnavji.....voh bahut acche insaan hain....bahut hi achhee......samjhe aap....aap bahut bure ho....humare Arnavji ke bare mein ulta seedha bol rahein hain aap....humein aapse koi baat nahiin karni......hum jaa rahe hain' (No.....I'll not listen to your words.....nor I'll trust you words......I know....My Arnavji....he is very nice man.....good man.....understood.......you are very bad......you are talking all wrong about my Arnavji........I don't want to talk to you.....I'm leaving) she rushed out of the room wiping her tears.....Arnav closed his eyes in pain....he heard it all....he was all through out the conversation holding his breathe.....he opened his red eyes and came out from behind the door....looking at Shyam's fruatated back he left for his room knowing well his little wife will be crying and he needed to be there with her.....other thing can wait but not his wife.....

As predicated he entering his room looked at Khushi who was wiping her tears furiously, mumbling to herself......he stepped towards her 'Khu.....* his throat tightened*....Khushi....'

Khushi looked up, seeing him in front of her, she rushed into his arms weeping 'aap agaye.....hum...hum...'

Arnav patted her back 'shhh....shhh....'

Khushi snuggled closer to him......he lifted her in his arms, taking her to poolside, still having her in his arms sat on the lounger....Arnav 'bas Khushi....bas....'

Khushi sniffed, laid in his arms she hugged him settling herself comfortably, Khushi 'aap....aap bahut acche ho Arnavji....sachhii mein aap bahut acche ho....' Arnav stiffened, hodling her close....silence prevailed....knock on the door came....Arnav 'Khushi mujhe dekhne do darwaza par kaun hain' (Khushi let me see who is it?)

Khushi shaking her head, her face hid in his chest 'no!!!'

Arnav 'Khushi....'

Anjali's voice came from outside 'Chotte!!!!'

Arnav 'Khushi.....Khushi Di hain darwaze par....please....' (Khushi......KhushiDi is on the door) Khushi looked at him with her dampen eyes......he kissed away her tears, Khushi's cheek took a rosy hue.......Anjali was still calling him....Khushi pouting got up, patting her cheek he went to open the door......Anjali came inside the room with a tray containing cup of coffee along with plates filled with snacks.....she setting the tray on the low table looked up to see Khushi coming inside the room, her face marred with tears....Anjali rushed to her, cupping her cheek 'Khushi tumhare aankhon mein aansoon.......ro rahi thi....par tum ro kyun rahii ho' (Khushi tears in your eyes......you were crying.....but why were you crying)

Khushi looked down, Arnav came towards them, hugging Khushi side ways 'nothing Di, she missed me...that is why as soon as saw me she started crying'

Anjali 'awe....tum humare chotte ko miss ki....'

Arnav looking at her all silent 'Di can you please send Khushi her tea and some sweets too'

Anjali looking at Khushi 'okay' she went out, knowing well her chotte's plea to leave them alone. Arnav cupped Khushi's cheek 'tum apna muh dhokar aao Khushi'

Khushi hugged him, he hugged her patting her back, and taking her to washwoom he himself washed her face....bringing her outside, he made her sit 'tum itni chup kyun ho....*seeing her quite and lost* agar tum baat nahii karogi toh mein vapas chala jaunga....' (Why are you so silent....*seeing her quite and lost* if you keep silent than I'll leave) he stood up.

Khushi held his hand 'nahiin'

Arnav sitting besides her........looking at her troubled expression 'Kuch kehna hain' (want to say something)

Khushi looked at him and then nodded....HP knocked on their door....Arnav asked him to come in....he kept the tray containg Khushi's tea and sweets....and left.....Arnav 'pehle hum dono apni coffee aur chai peelein,....tandi ho jaygi...'

He took her cup of tea and handed it to her, she took it tentavely from him....Arnav took his cup of coffee....both started sipping their beverage.....done with their tea and coffee again a long silence prevailed only difference is Khushi hatched herself in Arnav's arm....

Arnav 'Kya huwa Khushi?'

Khushi in low voice 'Lavanya kaun hain?' (Who is Lavanya?)

He stiffened.....Khushi 'voh kaun hain.....kya appki uske saath shaadi huyi thi....boliyena Arnavji' (who is she......are you married to her before.....tell na Arnavji)

Arnav 'Khushi....'

Khushi looking up at him 'boliye na yeh sab jhoot hai....jijaji ne yeh sab jhoot kaha aapke bare mein....please...boliye na' (tell me this is all lie.......tell me that what jijaji said is all life.......please......tell na) she begged him

Arnav 'haan'

Khushi loosening her hold 'haa...haan?'

Arnav 'haan meri phehli ek shaadi ho chuki thi'

Khushi's hands left her hold on him, staring at him in shock.....

********

Part 12

Khushi 'shaadi....shaadi...ho chuki hai'

Arnav inched forward, cupping her face 'Khushi...Khushi suno meir baath....haan meri shaadi ho chuki thi....par voh Shaadi ke raath he bag gayi thi......kehne ko toh voh shaadi hi nahiin hain sahi maine mein.....voh shaadi shaadi nahiin hai Khushi.....voh kabhi meri patni hi nahiin hai.....agar koi hai toh tum ho....tum meri biwi ho, meri patni ho...Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada' (Khushi.....Khushi listen to me......yes I'm already married guy......but she ran away on the marriage night itself......if to be said it was not a marriage at all......the marriage is not a marriage Khushi.......she never was my wife.....if anyone is then it is you......you are my wife......Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada)

Khushi could not understand half of the words....all she wanted to know was answer to her questions 'aap hume sirf yeh batayiye...kya aapne unhe mara...peeta....' (Just tell me this.....did you...did you ever beat her)

Arnav shocked looked at her, then looking at her vulnerable eyes and shaking his head he said 'no....maine aisa kuch nahiin kiya....' (no....I never did anything like that)

Khushi 'apne nahiin mara.....toh...toh jijaji jhoot bol rahe the.....kyun....unhone aisa kyun kaha' (you did not beat her.....then....then jijaji was telling lies.....why....why did he say lie)

Arnav holding her hands tight 'pata nahiin Khushi' (I don't know Khushi)

Khushi 'pata nahiin.....toh...toh jijaji...jijaji jhoot bol rahe hain....humne....humne kaha tha aap bahut acche ho......humein toh pata haina humare Arnavji ke bare mein.....voh...voh bahut hi acche hain.....' (don't know.....then....then jijaji....jijaji was lying......I.....I said you are so nice....I know my Arnavji very well na......he....he is very nice man....)

Arnav hugged her, Khushi clutching him 'par.....par voh apko chodkar kyun chaligai Arnavji' (but.....but why did she leave you)

Arnav 'meri baath dyaan se suno Khushi, tumhe mujhpar vishwas haina.....' (Listen to my words carefully Khushi, you trust me na)

Khushi 'bahut'

Arnav smiling a little 'jo kuch bhi mein kehne jaa raha hoon use acche tarah se sunna' Khushi nodded her head....... (now listen to me carefully whatever I'm going to say)

Arnav 'paanch saal pehle Di ne mere liye ek ladki dekhi thi....maine bhi Di, Nani, aur Dadi ji ke liye usse shaadi kar lii thi.......shaadi wale raath Di ne use mere kamre mein choda tha par jab mein andar aaya tab voh nahiin thi....voh ghar se bhag chuki thi......*cupping her face*.....Khushi voh achi ladki nahiin thi...... usne mujhe, Di, Nani aur Dadi ko bohut dhuk diya......uske vajah se humare rishtedar aur ghar ke padosiyon se humein bohut tana sunna pada...hum par log has rahe the yeh kehkar ki shaadi ke raath hi dulhan baag gayi......uski vajah se humein shahar badalna pada....Lucknow chodkar hum sab Delhi aagay *he narrated every incident to her.....at the end Khushi looked at him with her sad and teary eyes....Arnav wiping her tears*....ro math Khushi...ab toh hum Khush hain' (five years before Di found a girl for me.......I too got married to that girl for Di, Nani and Dadi........on marriage night Di left her in my room but when I went inside she was not there....later we found that she ran away......*cupping her face*.......Khushi she was not nice girl......she hurt me, Di, Nani and Dadi a lot........because of her we had to hear taunts from our relatives and neighbours ........because of her we changed our city.....we left Lucknow and came to Delhi...... *he narrated every incident to her.....at the end Khushi looked at him with her sad and teary eyes....Arnav wiping her tears*....don't cry Khushi .....now we are happy)

Khushi looking up at him 'humein bahut bura lag raha hai Arnavji.....par voh bohut hi budhu ladki hai jo usne ek rajkumar ko chod diya.....aap chintha mat kijiye Arnavji, hum sab samajh gaye......aap galat nahiin ho....galat toh voh ladki hai.....' (I feel very bad Arnavji......but she is fool girl who left you, a Rajkumar.......you don't worry, I understood everything......you are not wrong......that girl is wrong) she hugged him, her head laid on his chest.

Arnav patting her head 'ab tum bhi uski chintha mat karo Khushi.....yeh toh accha hi huwa na ki voh bhaag gayi aur meri zindagi mein nahiin hai...' (now you don't worry about her Khushi.........it is good she is not in my life and she ran away)

Khushi 'kyun'

Arnav 'agar voh hothi toh mujhe tum kaise milthi....mein tumse kaise shaadi kartha..' (if she was in my life than how would I have got you.....how would have I married you)

Khushi 'haan voh toh hai.....' and giggled, Arnav smiled kissing her head.

Dinner time, HP came and called them for dinner.....Arnav 'Khushi chalo niche sab humari wait kar rahe honge'

Khushi 'Ji'

Both walked down, Khushi stopped looking at Shyam, she held Arnav's hand tight....Arnav 'kya huwa' (what happen?)

Khushi 'hum...hum unse baath nahiin karenge....unhone...unhone....aapke bare bahut galath kaha' (I...I will not talk to him...he...he...he said very bad of you)

Arnav 'accha teekh hai tum unse baat math karna par ab aao Di wait kar rahi hai humari' (it is okay you don't need to talk with him, but we should go join them Di is waiting for us)

Both walked towards the table taking their seats beside each other.....As soon as they sat....Shyam 'Khushi ji Rani Sahiba keh rahi thi ki aap ro rahi thi.....kyun? aap teek haina?' (Khushi ji Rani Sahiba was telling me you were crying. Are you alright? And why?) he asked with such an innocence that no one can say he is the reason behind everything.

Khushi kept quite, Arnav 'voh teek hai jijaji.....and voh teek kaise nahiin hogi , mein hoon uske saath......aur aapki kyun ka jawab toh aap acchi tarah se janthe hain....'(She is fine jijaji......how can she not? I'm there for her.....and for your why you should know the answer very well) Shyam paled....did Khushiji tell Sale Sahib everything......

Anjali smiling ' Chotte kya keh rahe ho tum? Voh kaise janthe honge?' (Chotte what were you telling? How will he know?)

Arnav 'Oh unhe acche tarah se pata hai Di. Khushi ne kaha tha ki jijaji usse Lavanya ke bare mein baath kar rahe the....' (oh he very well knows Di. Khushi said jijaji had talked to her about Lavanya) Anjali paled....she looked at Khushi's silent face, Arnav's grave face...And Shyam's white face.....

Arnav 'will you ask him Di why he talked to her about Lavanya?'

Anjali 'Shyamji.....'

Shyam ' voh...voh mein toh bas.....yeh jaanne ki koshish kar raha tha ki......kahiin Khushi bhi Lavanya ki tarah hai ya nahiin....' (voh....voh I was just....just trying to know....to know if Khushi is like Lavanya or not....)

Arnav gritted his teeth ' Khushi aisa nahiin hai.....voh uss gatiya ladki ki tarah nahiin hain........Khushi toh sab ladkiyon se bhi zyada acchi hai......voh ek Pari hai......Meri Pari jo meri zindagi mein aayi hain Khushiyaan lekar........aur voh meri zindagi ki Khushi hai' (she is not....she is not like that vile woman....Khushi is far more better than anyone.....she is an Angel....My Angel who had come to my life to lit happiness....and she is My Happiness)

Khushi looked at Arnav to see his angry face, she tentavily placed her hand on his....Arnav calmed down a bit....sighing he smiled at Khushi slowly......Anjali looking at them relaxed.....she turned to Shyam who has blank expression but inside he is burning like a coal 'aapko aise nahiin karna chahiye tha Shyamji' (you should not have done something like that) she said to him softly.....Shyam 'I'm sorry sale sahib'

Arnav knew Shyam did that deliberately, he knew him too well.....he has his all accounts from past one year.....but being tied to his Di's mental state he could do nothing....he would have thrown him out of the house but after she lost her child she has become more clingy on her husband....Anjali Jha had her miscarriage when she was five months pregnant and at the same time he got to know of his Jijaji's true color but could do nothing than to watch him be with his Di for her sake.....but he will not let that man anywhere near his wife....

Anjali 'Chotte I'm too sorry from his side.....he did wrong I admit but seeing his concern for you I think he was worrying too much about what if past repeats'

Arnav his jaw tightened 'leave it Di....*looking around* where is Nani and Dadi'

Anjali 'they have gone to temple for satsang...will return late night...'

Arnav 'they went alone?'

Anjali 'no no...They told they will be taking Ricky (Body Gaurd) with them'

Arnav nodded at her, he looked at Khushi's plate 'Khushi tum kha kyun nahiin rahi ho....apna khana kao' (Khushi why you are you not having anything?....have your food)

Khushi nodded her head and started eating slowly, Arnav sighed before he himself had his dinner.

Arnav and Khushi were leaving for their room when Anjali stopped him...Arnav turned to Khushi 'tum kamre jao Khushi...mein todi dher mein aatha hoon' (Khushi you go to room.....I'll come in few minutes) Khushi started walking upstairs.

Anjali looking at her retreating back 'is she okay chotte?'

Arnav 'she is okay Di, and she understood very well that there is nothing to do with Lavanya....she is very understandable Di'

Anjali smiling 'good I got scared seeing her all silent'

Arnav 'she is just upset Di...*looking at Shyam who was squirming* she cannot take it when someone bad mouths me' looked at Anjali's confused face and smiled 'don't worry Di....I and Khushi are fine....good night'

He left for his room to join his wife......