24-03-2021

Hello, remember me? :P 

Please read the A/N at the end. 

Please ignore typo and grammatical mistakes. Not yet proofread.

Part 5: 

"Khushi? What happened? What made you happy?" asked Payal, looking at her sister's face.

"I will tell you all, come to my room," Khushi held Payal and Mami's hands and dragged them to her room.

Everyone looked at each other, trying to guess the reason for Khushi's smile. Yet, they followed her to see what she wanted to tell. After entering her room, Khushi showed them a piece of paper after closing all the doors.

Akash took the paper and recognised it as a bill of a garment shop.

"So? It's a bill, Khushi! What made you so happy with this?" asked Akash.

"It's there in the gift I received! It came along with the sari."

"So?" asked NK confusedly.

"We can ask them who bought these gifts and if they know the address of the person. Then...," Khushi was stopped by NK.

"But Why?" asked curious Mami.

"What else? To find Arnav Ji! They might help us?"

"How sure are you? Looking at this bill, I'm sure this shop is a small one. I don't know whether it will be helpful...," this time Khushi stopped NK's words.

"That's what I'm telling you. The parcel came with Arnav Ji name, right? But we all know that Arnav Ji will never buy gifts at the small shop. This bill says whatever gifts we got were purchased there. So that means someone is trying to fool us. And we all know who that someone is. Looking at the handwritten bill and the amount, I'm sure this is a big deal to the shop. If we give some more money to them, they will help us for sure. It may lead us to Arnav Ji. Then, we can find Arnav Ji and bring him home. We just need to meet the shop people; what do you say?" asked Khushi with the hope of their approval.

Everyone looked at Khushi, trying to understand whatever she said.

"Please, there is no harm in trying. What if Arnav Ji was around that shop? I can't ignore or avoid any chance to find Arnav Ji. I don't know where he is and how he is. I don't know what Shyam is doing to Arnav Ji. I don't know what will happen. I'm scared. I just want Arnav Ji to come back soon, nothing else!" With that, Khushi burst into cries.

Akash, who was beside her, hugged her sideways and consoled her by rubbing her forearm.

"Shh... Khushi, don't worry, everything will be fine. We will find out about Bhai. Nothing will happen to Bhai." Akash kept assuring Khushi. Everyone felt sad seeing her crying badly.

"Please, Jiju, let's go once. Let's try. Please," Khushi pleaded.

"We will go, Khushi Ji. We will go tomorrow, please don't cry. If you weep and fall weak, think what Arnav will do to us? He will flare his nose and turn everything upside down. And he will keep saying what the! What the! And then say, 'How dare you NK? You made my wife cry. You didn't take care of her. I will not leave you." NK imitated Arnav. "Na, baba, na..., I want to live. I still need to find a girl for me and live my romantic life, just like Bollywood movies!" he said in a dreamy expression. Everyone felt lite seeing his antics.

"Poor girl," muttered Mami, loud enough to others to hear.

"Masi!!!" NK whimpered.

Khushi, Payal and Akash smiled, seeing NK's expression.

Seeing Khushi smiling, everyone felt relaxed a bit.

"Khushi, don't worry, we will go and check with this address tomorrow," said Akash, patting Khushi's head.

"And, if we don't find Arnav, then we will complain to the police. I don't want to waste more than a second. I don't want something to happen to Arnav. I don't know why, but I'm feeling like Shyam is planning for something. He was always talking on his phone. He was so irritated and frustrated while talking on the phone. He even shows his frustration on Anjali," said Mami.

Understanding her fear, Akash said, "Sure, Ma. If we don't find Bhai, then I will go to the police. Anyway, I decided to meet them. It's already a week since Bhai left for London. We shouldn't waste more time."

"Let's sleep for now. We need to go to that place tomorrow," said Payal, and everyone went to their rooms assuring Khushi.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Khushi wasn't able to sleep well all night and wake up early. She feels anxious for a reason she doesn't know. Her heart is beating at an abnormal speed. Her feet and palms become sweaty. She completed all her work to divert her mind from fear and nervousness. She prepared breakfast for everyone and made everything ready for lunch preparations. She cleaned the kitchen and watered all the plants. She changed almost all the curtains in the house. How much she tried, she couldn't get rid of the worry. Suddenly feeling weak, she leaned on the kitchen counter and closed her eyes.

"Ahh...," she snapped, opening her eyes, feeling a hand on her shoulder.

"Khushi Ji? It's me, Anjali. What's wrong? Why are you looking so scared? Are you alright?" asked Anjali, knowing how this girl feeling after her brother left for London.

"Ha..., Di. I'm fine. It's just I didn't expect you here in the morning. So...," Khushi said, clutching her dress, breathing hard to control her rising heartbeat.

"I'm sorry, I think I scared you. But what are you doing here at this time? And did you prepare breakfast? Why? This early? What's wrong, Khushi Ji?" asked Anjali, feeling concerned about Khushi.

"Ha Di..., I mean, I woke up early. So I thought of doing some work. Don't worry, I'm fine. You tell me, what are you doing at this time, do you need anything? Do you want me to prepare milk or coffee for you?" asked Khushi, holding Anjali's hand.

Smiling at her, Anjali said, "I'm here to take water. I will freshen up and come back to help you."

"No, Di, I completed almost every work. You just take some rest. No need to come soon; take your time," said Khushi.

Anjali smiled at her and left from there after caressing her cheek lovingly.

Khushi left the kitchen to go to the Puja room and sat before the goddess. "Please save us, Devi Mayya. Give me strength. I'm feeling scared all of a sudden. The feeling of this void in my heart is scaring me. Please make everything alright. And show us the way to Arnav Ji and help us in finding him. Please keep him safe and healthy," Khushi prayed to the goddess, joining her hands.

::::::::::::::::

"What's the matter, Damad Ji? You are looking so happy today? Did you win any important case?" asked Nani, observing Shyam's happy face.

"Yes, Nani Ji. I won but not, in any case, it's more than that. I got what I desired. I got everything in my hands. Now, no one can stop me from getting what was mine," said Shyam, looking at Khushi, who is standing opposite to him, serving.

NK and Akash both noticed this look of Shyam.

"Means?" asked confused Anjali.

"I will tell you once I settled everything, Anjali. Just be assured that your life is going to change. You will not even guess how much it will change," said Shyam, smiling. But only NK and Akash, who sat diagonal and opposite Shyam, noticed the evilness in his eyes.

"That's great, Shyam Ji. I can't wait to see the future," said excited Anjali.

Shyam nodded his head, smiling at her foolishness. 'And I can't wait to show you the future,' thought Shyam.

All the time, NK, Akash and Mami didn't fail to notice Shyam's every expression. They felt disgusted to see the man, whom they loved from the bottom of their heart. After finishing their breakfast, everyone went to work. Khushi became restless seeing overly happy Shyam. Her heart pained in an unknown fear.

"Ey..., Phatisari..., bring juice to my room," said Mami, looking at Khushi. She turned to Payal, and said "and you Khunbharitang..., bring my fruits. I don't know what to do with these DILs of mine, hello-hi-bye-bye," muttered Mami, making Khushi and Payal smile at her.

"What's wrong, Mami? You are showing your rights on them, the morning itself? What happened?" asked Anjali in a teasing manner.

"How much I refused their marriage? Did anyone think about the consequences? I know what that decision brought to us. I may be wrong at that time, but not anymore. I know what these girls are doing to this family. I can never forget," said Mami with slightly moistened eyes looking at both the sisters, who understood her unsaid love and affection where Anjali couldn't make any sense from her words. Anjali couldn't understand whether Mami was praising them or degrading them.

"Don't bother about her words, Anjali. She was never clear about her words or feelings. Trying to understand her is near to impossible and a waste of time," Nani teased her DIL.

"Sasuma!!!" Mami whined and left from there muttering that, no one gives her respect.

"Pagli. She always tries to show her as a hard nut. But she always fails in that. She has a golden heart, which contains only and only lots of love towards her family. Go and do your work, dears," said Nani and dismissed the girls.

::::::::

"What took you this long? Come inside fast," Mami ushered both the sister inside and closed the doors after checking outside her room. She turned to Khushi, asked cupping her left cheek, "Are you okay, Khushi?"

"Yes, Mami. I'm fine," said Khushi, smiling little. But Mami knew that her smile didn't reach her eyes. She knew that Khushi was worried about something.

"What's wrong, Khushi? Why are you looking worried? Tell me bitiya," asked Mami.

Before Khushi answers her question, they hear a knock on the door.

"Who is that?" asked Mami.

"Maa, it's me, Akash. Is Payal there?" asked Akash.

Khushi opened the door and let him come inside along with NK.

"Here is Majnu, searching for his Laila. Unbelievable..., Akash, can't you stay away from your wife at least for a few minutes? Just a few minutes back, she was with you having breakfast, and now you are here searching for her. Why can't you limit your romance till night? Hello-hi-bye-bye!" said Mami, leaving both Payal and Akash blushing.

Both NK and Khushi laughed at their expense. But everyone noticed how dull Khushi's smile is.

"What's wrong, Khushi Ji? Why is your smile dull?" asked NK.

"I'm fine, Nanhe Ji," said Khushi, not meeting anyone's eyes. She doesn't want to worry them, telling them about her unknown fear.

"No, she is not fine. I also asked her, but she is not telling me," complained Mami.

"I'm fine, Mami. It's just that I'm feeling anxious for a reason I don't know. My heart is beating at an abnormal speed. My feet and palms are becoming sweaty. I don't know, but I have this feeling as if something horrible is going to happen. I'm scared, Mami. I'm afraid of Arnav Ji. After hearing Shyam's words, I couldn't erase this fear. I don't know..., but I need to see Arnav Ji. The glint in Shyam's eye is scaring me, Mami. Jiju, can we go to that address now itself? Can you postpone your meeting for now? Please, Jiju, I need to see Arnav Ji with my own eyes. Please," cried Khushi in helplessness.

Everyone tried to console her, but the fear in her heart never let her calm down.

"Khushi, I already asked my men to go there and enquire. They will inform me once they find anything, and then we can go," said Akash. "By any chance, if that man is there, I don't want you to go there. So, I and NK will go there and search for Bhai. You, please stay strong," requested Akash.

"I don't know how ignorant we can be regarding that man. I don't know how we missed seeing the evilness of that idiot. He is betraying every one of us till now, and we don't even have any idea about that. He is using us; and, we, like fools, went into his trap. I can't believe this!" said Mami.

"It's okay, Ma JI. we will make him pay for his every deed, now. We will not leave him without punishment. Once we find Arnav Ji, everything will be fine," said Payal, giving Juice glass to Mami.

Mami sighed deeply, not understanding how to deal with this situation. She took the glass, gave it to Khushi and made her drink.

Before anyone says anything, Akash's mobile started ringing.

"It's them! I think they found something," Akash said urgently before answering the phone.

"..."

"Are you sure?" asked Akash.

"..."

"Then do one thing, go to that building and check whether Bhai is there or not."

"..."

"Damn it! I'm coming now itself. Everything can wait. Inform me, if anything odd happens," said Akash, and turned to his family, "Khushi's feeling was right. Our men were able to extract some information about the shop fellow. Two men came to their shop asking about all the gifts we received. And, also those two men took food from their small food stall every day. And it's the same food every day - roti and curry. I asked our men to go to the given address of the building and look if Bhai is there or not. I and NK will start immediately. You guys don't worry, everything will be fine," assured Akash.

"Jiju, I will also come with you, Please," said Khushi.

But Akash couldn't Agree to take her. He doesn't know whether his brother is there or not. Without confirming anything, he can't risk Khushi's life. They couldn't decide what to do. They can understand her worry. Damn! Themselves are worried. After discussing/arguing for good 13 minutes, they were disturbed by Akash's mobile ring.

"It's him, again," said Akash before answering the phone in a hurry. "Yes, Tell me. What's the matter?"

"..."

"Are..., Are you..., Are you sure?" asked Akash, suddenly feeling anxious.

"..."

"I'm coming right away. Stay alert and let me know whatever happens," with that, Akash cut the call, turned to others and announced, "Bhai is there in that building! Our men confirmed this."

"Devi Mayya, please save my son," prayed Mami and said, "Akash, take NK along with you. You might need his help there. If you feel the situation is awful, then call the commissioner. I don't want you to make things worse for you or Arnav. Go and bring your brother!" said Mami.

"I also will come with you, jiju. Please don't refuse me!" pleaded Khushi.

Nodding his head, Akash asked her to get fresh before leaving. He doesn't know how much time it will take them to return. He doesn't want Khushi to get exhausted. Khushi instantly went to her room, while Akash and NK also got ready to leave.

After 38 minutes:

Nani, Anjali and Mama are watching the television and surprised by Akash, NK and Khushi's hurried steps.

Just before Anjali asked them what's the matter, the announcement on the TV caught their attention. And at the same time, both Akash and Khushi's phones started ringing. After listening to the news and the caller, everyone shouted for one person.

Arnav!

...to be continued

::::::::

I hope it's okay?! I wanted to write more. But I couldn't get much time.  I hope you guys are still with me. Thank you so much, whoever still with me. 

I just want to mention a few things about the story. I already mentioned in the story description:

1. Anjali is not pregnant. And a confused soul eventually comes around. 2. Mami is not much tough.3. Arnav wasn't much hateful towards Khushi. He was hurt and angry. Not hateful.4. Akash is a little mature and helpful :)5. There will not be much of Mama (as usual ;) ), Payal and Gupta-s.

If I mentioned anything opposite in previous updates, please let me know. I hope you all are liking this story.  I asked a few questions about my write-ups in my profile. Please scroll down and answer. I want to know your thoughts about my stories. It helps me to improve my writing.

Thank you for your love and support.

.Sri.