Part 43 Baby Shower

RM

Arnav came from the clinic, planning what's next. So, he decided to talk to Anjali about fixing the marriage date. He directly went to Anjali's room and got stuck, seeing her packing her and Shyam's dress.

"Di, are you going somewhere?"

"Chotte, thank God you came. Shyamji's aunt met with an accident. We are going to Lucknow to meet her. We will come back the day after tomorrow."

Arnav was fed-up. He thought to send Anjali to GH with Shagun. It seems it won't happen soon. Seeing, his hanging face, Shyam chuckled.

"Sale Sahib, don't worry, this won't affect your marriage."

"But how could Di start marriage preparations when you are sad?"

"Who said I'm sad? I'm happy in fact." He laughed.

Anjali hit on his shoulder and Shyam chuckled again. Arnav frowned, seeing him making fun instead of being sad.

"It's noting Chotte. Her aunty tortured his mother a lot when he was small. That's why he hates his aunty."

Arnav rolled his eyes hearing that.

"She is right Sale Sahib. My aunty is the only villain in my life who tortured my mother."

"Chotte, please manage for two days."

"No problem Di...Nani and Mami are there..."

"No Chotte, they are also coming with us."

"Ohh..."

"Rani Sahiba, keep one thing in your mind."

"What?"

"Don't show your NANAN's power to Salesahib's wife. Try to be good with Khushiji. Or else this is how Sale Sahib's children treat you."

Anjali dropped her jaw and hit Shyam.

"I won't be like your aunt. I will get the best Nanan of the world certificate from Khushiji. Mark my words."

She challenged. She looked at Arnav who was standing all lost at Anjali's words.

"Chotte, where were you lost?"

"He is with Khushiji..." Shyam teased.

"Chotte..."

"Haan Di?"

"Are you all right?"

Arnav nodded yes.

"Did you meet Khushiji?"

Arnav nodded yes again.

"How is she?"

"She is a genuine girl Di." He smiled.

Anjali became relieved. Arnav left her room. When he came to the living room, he saw Payal with Manorama. He went to his room, without smiling at Payal which made her uncomfortable. She knew Arnav is highly disappointed in Laya's matter. She had heard a lot about Arnav from Akash. And she knew Arnav was not interested in marriage. It's a miracle; he had fallen in love with Khushi. Of course, Khushi is a unique girl. No doubt if Arnav falls in love with her. Her sister messed not only Arnav and Khushi's relationship but also her relationship with Raizadas. Though they are not showing on their face she could sense the difference. Especially Manorama...she was not fine with Laya's presence in the RM from the beginning. Laya made Manorama's guess right. She ruined everything. Payal felt bad. She doesn't know how to rebuild the relationship with Raizadas.

Shyam, Anjali, and Naniji got settled in the car. Manorama gestured NK and he rushed towards her.

"Be careful. Laya's chapter has not closed yet. Keep an eye on her. She may try to create more rift between Arnav bituwa and Khushi."

NK nodded ok.

"I will be glad if you trap her phone."

NK looked at her shockingly.

"Don't underestimate her. She is pure poison, unlike Payal."

NK nodded yes.

They started to the airport.

Arnav got fresh-n-up and came out wearing casuals. The landline of the RM started ringing. He lifted the phone and answered.

"Hello..."

"This is Garima Gupta. Can I talk to Anjali bitiya?"

Arnav got struck hearing his going to be mother-in-law.

"This is Arnav. Di is not at home, aunty."

"Ohh...namaste Damadji. Is Devyaniji there?"

A soft smile occupied Arnav's face, hearing DAMADJI.

"No one is at home, you can tell me the matter if anything urgent."

"Actually, I would like to invite your family members to my elder daughter's baby shower."

"Ohh... when is the function aunty?"

"Tomorrow evening."

"They went to Lucknow and will come only after two days."

"Ohh... I thought this function will help us to create a bond between our families. That's ok... we will meet another day. See you, beta."

"Bye aunty."

They disconnected the call.

GH

Khushi was lying on the bed, thinking about Mr. Raizada. Don't know how she could cope with him. She thought he will be as same as KADOOS. So that she can be in distance, giving his behavior as an excuse. It seems he won't give her a chance to be like that.

Her thought got distracted by the phone ring. She took it from the table and sat on the bed, seeing Payal's number. She attended it.

"Hello, Khushi..."

"Hi..."

"I'm sorry Khushi..."

Cutting her.

"Sorry? But why Payal?"

"For what my sister had done. I'm really sorry Khushi."

"But why are you apologizing? What was your mistake in that?"

"I'm apologizing because your friendship is important to me. After all, you are my JETHANI."

"I'm not upset with you Payal. I know you."

"Thank you, Khushi."

"That's ok Payal. Don't be guilty."

"Actually, I have never seen Arnavji so upset. You know, he was not interested in marriage until he met you."

"Mmmm."

"It's my sister who is in love with him."

"ohh..."

" I can understand what would be your mentality if a girl says something rubbish about your would-be husband. I didn't expect Laya would go to this extend. Please don't take her words seriously."

"Leave that Payal. Tell me, what your program is tomorrow evening?" she diverted her.

"Tomorrow evening? Nothing... I'm totally free."

"Then come to my house. It's my Jeeji's baby shower."

"Ohh... that's nice. I will definitely come."

"Thank you. We will meet tomorrow."

"Sure... good night."

"Good night, Payal."

They disconnected the call. Payal sighed in relief. She laid on the bed beside sleeping Akash with a peaceful mind. Finally, she sorted the issue from her side.

Next Morning

Payal served breakfast for Raizada brothers. Arnav ate silently not looking at Payal as same as the previous day.

After finishing breakfast,

"Bhabhi, I will be late tonight. I don't want dinner." NK said.

He didn't say where is he going as he thought Khushi would not have told Payal about her sister's baby shower. Payal may think that Khushi is angry with her. That's why she didn't call her. So, he didn't want them to get upset.

Arnav didn't react to it. It was not hard for him to guess where he is going. Khushi might have invited him to the function. After all, they are friends. And Arnav confirmed that when NK started his bike who usually joins them in the car.

As Akash didn't know about the function, he stopped NK.

"What party are you going today?"

"Ohh... actually..." NK hesitated.

"Is that a secret party?"

"Nothing is like that... Actually, it's Khushi's sister's baby shower today."

Akash's face hung hearing that as Khushi didn't invite him but only NK. She must be upset with him because of Laya. He supposed. Taking a deep breath, he went to Arnav's car and sat in it sadly and Arnav noticed it.

AR

Akash directly went to Khushi's cabin and she was not there. He found her in Aman's cabin. She was discussing something with him. She smiled at him as usual.

"Are you angry with me, Khushi?" He asked pitifully.

Aman raised his brows. Why suddenly he is asking her this?

"Angry? Why?" She shrugged her shoulders.

Looking at Aman,

"She invited you to her sister's baby shower, right?"

Aman looked at Khushi not answering to him.

"She invited NK also but for me. That means she is angry with me..."

He said sadly.

"What was my mistake if Laya had done something stupid? Why didn't you invite me? Tell me, Khushi?"

"Didn't Payal tell you anything?" Khushi asked calmly.

"Payal?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"She agreed to come to my sister's baby shower. I thought she will tell you. If you want me to invite you separately then no problem, (she joined her hands) Please come to my sister's baby shower, AMD Sir."

Aman chuckled at them. Akash grinned awkwardly.

"Did you call her?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"I'm sorry Khushi. I don't know that you invited Payal. And she didn't tell me anything about it. Don't know why."

"Were you upset with her for her sister's act?" She asked.

Akash nodded yes.

"Then, how would she tell you? She might have thought to surprise you. She regretted a lot about it. Don't be upset with her."

Akash nodded ok.

"Are you alright, Khushi?" Akash asked her.

She nodded yes.

"Please don't even think of Laya's words. Bhai never liked anyone other than you. Trust me."

"I trust you." She smiled.

"I hope you will come to my home."

"Certainly..." Akash smiled.

"What special today, Khushi?"

"You all are coming to my home. That's what special."

"It will be more special if ASR comes." Aman started.

"Don't you know he doesn't like such functions?" She questioned.

"Who knows, he may like such functions if YOU are there."

"Ok... I have a lot of work. I'm going." She left his cabin.

"I can see changes in Khushi," Akash said.

"She is wiser." Aman smiled.

At the same time, Aman got a call and it was from Arnav.

"Yes, ASR..."

"Get me a good designer saree."

"Designer saree?"

"Yup."

He disconnected the call. Aman asked a designer to bring the latest designer saree. Aman came to Arnav's cabin, taking the saree and handed it over to Arnav.

"Is this saree for Khushi?"

He purposely asked even though he knew it was not for Khushi.

"If it is for Khushi (he stressed it) would I ask YOU to select it?"

Aman nodded NO grinning.

"Then for whom?" Aman questioned.

Arnav looked at him like, why should I say that to you?

"Khushi may take you wrong if she gets to know that you gave the saree to someone." He said seriously.

"Ohh..."

Arnav checked the saree casually. Aman was standing there to know for whom that saree is. Arnav looked at him like, "have not you left yet?" Aman left the cabin silently.

Arnav smiled at what Aman said. Will Khushi take him wrong if he gives a saree to a woman? He called Khushi.

"Come to my cabin."

"Yes, Sir."

She headed to his cabin. Don't know why she felt something new when she entered his cabin. She stood, looking at her notepad.

"Take the dictation."

Arnav started to dictate a letter and Khushi's eyes were only on the notepad. Arnav's eyes were only on her face. She didn't look at the saree which was being kept on the table.

Arnav finished dictating and she was about to go,

"Khushiiii."

"Yes, sir."

"Pack this saree."

That's when her sight fell on the saree. She nodded yes while taking that.

Arnav raised his eyebrows, seeing her leaving his cabin casually.

Aman saw her coming with the saree.

"Wow... Did ASR give this saree to you? but, he said this saree is not for you...?"

"Maybe it's for Anjaliji."

"No. it's not for Anjali."

"Ohh..."

"Why did you give it to you?"

"He asked me to pack it."

"Ohh...ok do it." Aman left the place.

Khushi packed the saree in a silver paper. After sticking a label on it, she went to his cabin.

Arnav asked her to come inside, hearing a knock.

"I have packed it."

"Thank you."

Keeping the packet on his table, she left.

Aman was confused to the core when Arnav left the office at 5'o clock with the saree packet. He came to Khushi's cabin.

"Khushi, you can go home."

"But it's just 5'o clock," she asked looking at her watch.

"Yes, you can go because ASR left the office."

"Really?"

"Yup... just now he went."

"Ohh.."

"Take Sowmya and go home. Help your mother in the preparation."

"Ok... you guys come soon."

"We will be there sharp at 6:30."

"Ok..."

She left the office with Sowmya. Sowmya went to her house to get fresh. As Aman said Khushi helped Garima in the preparations.

"Khushi, go and get ready. The function is going to start. Your friends will be here anytime." Arpita said.

Khushi nodded yes and went to her room to get ready. As Arpita said, her friends arrived GH sharply and Payal and Akash as well.

She greeted them with a sweet smile and made them sit comfortably. She saw Aman was looking at her sternly. She raised her eyebrows like, WHAT?

"I wish ASR is here."

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"He missed seeing his girl who is looking like an angel in saree."

Khushi chuckled.

"I hope Angels didn't hear your words. They may curse you for comparing me with them." she laughed.

"Curse? I really want ASR here. His eyes would have told how true my words are. I really miss ASR...."

He got stuck. Words were not coming out of his throat.

"I'm taking my words back. I don't miss ASR..."

Khushi frowned and looked at the direction where Aman was looking at. Her heart skipped its beating, seeing Arnav standing with the same packet which she wrapped by the silver packet.

To be continued...