Part12 

Arnav analyzed the dream. It seems Arjun and Khushboo lived with the young man in the British period. Means, Aman is right. The dream is about their previous birth. According to the dream, Khushi and he were Khushboo and Arjun, in the last birth. This is why he felt something in his heart when he met Khushi for the first time? That's why he was restless, thinking that she was in love with Arjun? Are they took birth again to get united? Is this all possible? Is the rebirth concept truly true? Is marrying Khushi his BIRTH GOAL in this birth?

NK's statements also match with the dream. Arjun was a freedom fighter but he didn't die in the freedom struggle. Someone killed them. But who? Why? Would the killer also have taken birth again? Meeting NK's father is getting necessary now. He may give answers.

NK came to the temple that went searching for the young man. Arnav wanted to tell him the truth. He doesn't want to hide it from NK anymore who is ready to help him, no matter whatever his reaction will be.

"The young man is not here Arnav"

Arnav nodded yes.

"Arnav... are you all right?"

"You are right, NK. Arjun was a freedom fighter"

"How are you so confident?"

"I saw the dream sequence again"

"Did you get anything new recording to your dream?"

"Yes, I saw a man with blue eyes"

"You mean, the young man?"

"I'm not sure whether he is the young man"

"But, you already have seen him then why the confusion?"

"The young man I saw is an old man but the man with blue eyes in my dream is really young..."

"I see..."

"The girl called him MAHI Bhaiya. Do you know the young man's real name?"

"Of course, his name is Mahendra Singh."

"That means, he must be the young man"

"I too think so. He should have been called by the name MAHI in that old time."

"Might be"

"Then what you got to know?"

"Arjun's girlfriend's name is..."

NK cut him.

"Khushboo"

Arnav looked at him surprisingly. More to his surprise,

"And that girl is none other than my friend KHUSHI in this birth." NK smiled.

"Am I right Arnav?"

"Did your father say that?"

"No... he only told her name."

"Then how do you know the girl is Khushi?"

"I'm sorry Arnav. Last time also you got the dream right when we came to this temple? (Arnav nodded yes) I understood that from your facial expression and the gestures between you and Aman. I knew you are hiding something from me. In curiosity, I overheard your talks."

Arnav sighed.

"Actually, I was hesitating about this villager and its regulations."

"I understand... but more than our village regulations, I consider my friend. Khushi is a good girl. She is struggling a lot to run life with her blind mother. I will be happy if she gets a good and promising future."

Arnav was about to say something, NK stopped him by showing his palm.

"And now, there is nothing to hesitate as you guys are made for each other."

That sentence brightened Arnav's face.

"I don't think anyone could stop you guys" NK smiled pleasantly.

"Do you really feel this is our REBIRTH?"

"I don't have a reason to deny"

"But, Khushi is unaware of our previous birth."

"Yeah... doesn't mean she doesn't feel for you"

Arnav smiled biting his lip.

"I don't think I can meet the young man"

"He has a reason for everything Arnav."

"I don't get it"

"He appeared in front of you... might be, he wanted me to know about your dream. So that you would get a helping hand in this village"

"That means, can't I meet him?"

"As of now, I have no answer because no one could predict him. If he wants to meet you, he will meet you at the right time"

"I just want to know about the man who killed us"

"What are you going to do knowing that?"

"What if he is also taken birth again to separate us?"

"You think so deep, Arnav."

"I have to... I really love Khushi"

"You will definitely get her. I will introduce someone"

"Who?"

"Inspector Sumer Singh"

"Inspector? But why?"

"It will be helpful to you if you have authorities by your side"

"I don't see any police station in this village"

NK chuckled.

"It is there...just for formality. The villagers requested the collector to take the force back but he didn't agree and said that if the police station didn't receive any complaints for the next five years then he will think of taking the force back."

"Then?"

"Then what...the villagers never file a complaint in the police station. This is the last year...if they didn't get any complaints this year; the collector will take the force back"

"Ohh..."

"The inspector gets irritated about the empty-headed villagers." He laughed.

"Then how do you get his friendship?"

"Our ideas almost match because I also get irritated about the villagers. He likes educated people. That's why I want you to be close to him"

"But, won't it make villagers dissatisfied with me?"

"You are not going to do that openly."

Arnav nodded OK.

"And Arnav, I heard that Shyam is seen in gambling club often"

"Gambling club?" he frowned.

"Don't imagine the BIG club like Delhi clubs. It's just a small hall for a few people. They play only CARDS... and only on BETS"

"Yeah, I saw him carrying much money"

"The men who gamble are drunkards and senseless idiots. I hope he won't create any problem," he said worriedly.

"What problem he could create?"

"I heard he plays well and earns money. Drunken men will get angry easily. They won't tolerate a stranger's victory. They will surely lose their temper. That's what makes me worried"

Arnav nodded yes.

"I will talk to Shyam"

"Ask him to be careful"

"Ok"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything"

"Doesn't Khushi have anyone except her mother?"

"Her sister Payal is also there. She is married to Akash. He belongs to the same village. Their house is located in the boundary of our Village... little far away."

"But why?"

"In the middle of the field."

"Is he also a former?"

"No... he is not... his mother takes care of their field."

"Then what he does?"

"Gambles"

"Ohh.."

"Yeah... but Khushi and her mother don't know about it"

"Really?"

"Yeah... he is an alcoholic too. He and Payal are not blessed with children. Akash mother's taunts Payal a lot about it... poor woman. She doesn't show it to her own sister too."

"Means, Khushi is unaware of her sister's real state?"

"Yes"

"Doesn't Akash stop his mother from doing that?"

"I have no idea about it. No one knows about what happens in their house as it was far away from the village"

"Ohh..."

"Don't they take treatment?"

"They do pooja" NK smiled painfully.

"This is ridiculous"

"Yes... this is what happens here usually"

"But how do you know about them as they are aloof?"

"Villagers don't know about them because they are not so interested like me."

"Means?"

"A few people who work in their field are my friends. They give information about them often."

"That's great... but why don't you say Khushi the truth about Payal?"

"Payal stopped me. I just asked her to confirm that the information is true. She doesn't want to ruin her husband and mother-in-law's reputation. You know Khushi respects Akash a lot."

"Ohh... If Akash is a gambler then Shyam should have known about him"

"They know. Yesterday night also they played together."

"Ohh..."

"What do you think about Khushi?" NK asked contently.

"I don't think she also feels for me. But..."

"Just propose her"

"Whattt?" Arnav shocked.

"Don't take much time."

"But... what if she misunderstands me?"

"Ok... I will tell you what she feels for you"

"Really? Could you?"

"Of course, after all, I'm her friend"

"Are you going to tell her about the dream stuff?"

"No... it was the last trump card. If she said NO then only I will use that."

Arnav became excited at the same time tensed.

"Let's go"

Arnav nodded ok and they started walking. Arnav thrilled, seeing them going towards Khushi's house. Is NK really going to talk to Khushi about him?

"Are you really going to tell her?"

"Don't you want to know what she feels for you?

"Of course...."

"Just wait and watch"

NK took him to the backyard of her house. They saw Khushi avulsing vegetables. NK gestured Arnav to stand behind the tree and Arnav obeyed.

"Hi, Khushi"

Hearing his voice, Khushi turned around and smiled.

"Hi, Nanne"

"Is this vegetable for dinner?"

"Yeah..."

"Those archeologists are so lucky to have such fresh vegetables which they never ever dreamed of in Delhi"

Khushi smiled, nodding yes.

"They are so satisfied with your dexterity"

"How do you know?"

"They told me"

"Who said?" She asked curiously.

"Aman and Shyam told me"

NK saw her face shrunk.

"Ohh..." she continued her work.

"And Arnav...."

Khushi's hands stopped and she turned her face towards NK.

"What did he say?"

"He prized you more than Aman and Shyam."

"Really?" Her face glittered.

"Yeah... He said the man who is going to marry you is the luckiest man"

Khushi blushed biting her lip.

"His parents are searching for a bride for him it seems"

The vegetable basket slipped from her hand and she looked at NK shockingly. She tried hard to gulp the tears.

To be continued...