Part 4 Who is she?

Arnav brought Khushi back to Sheesh Mahal. The chopper was waiting for him to take off. Khushi was bewildered to get into the Chopper. Arnav extended his hand toward her. Clutching his hand, Khushi got in. Aman signaled the pilot and he took off the chopper. Even though it was Khushi's first flight she didn't panic as she had faced more panicked situations than that. She was blankly looking out, through the window. Her soft whimper filled in the chopper. Arnav gestured for Aman to pass the water bottle. He gave it to Arnav. Arnav extended the bottle to Khushi.

"Drink water"

Khushi nodded no. Taking her hand, he stuffed the bottle in her hand. Neither she denied nor did she drink water.

"ASR, shall I search for a good woman's hostel for Khushi?" Aman asked whispering.

"Hostel? But why?" Arnav frowned he also asked in a feeble tone.

"She needs a place for her stay, ASR" Aman said as if Arnav didn't know that.

"Of course, I didn't deny but why should we search for a hostel when RM is there?"

"Are you going to take her to Raizada Mansion?" Aman asked unbelievably.

"Of course, yes"

"But, ASR..."

"I don't think there is the safest place on the earth than RM for her because I will be with her"

"I don't have doubt in it. But, for how long could you protect her?"

"I will protect her for her lifetime. I promised her father"

Aman got stuck. For LIFETIME? He could not come to the conclusion, in which sense he said that. Whatever, Arnav would have decided everything, as of now.

Delhi

Arnav landed in Delhi with Khushi and Aman. Mohan was already waiting for them.

"I will drop you home," Arnav said.

"That's ok, ASR... I will take a cab"

"Shut up and sit in the car" he ordered him like always.

Turning towards Khushi,

"Khushi, let's go..." he opened the back door of the car for her.

"Sit," he said.

Khushi sat on the back seat, and Arnav took the seat next to her whereas Aman sat on the front seat.

"We will go home after dropping Aman..." Arnav told Mohan.

"Jee..." Mohan started the engine and drove the car towards Mathur Villa.

Khushi was leaning on the door. Though she was looking outside her eyes were pouring endlessly. Arnav didn't know what to say and how to console her. he didn't think WORDS can console a depressed soul.

After dropping Aman at his house, they went to RM. The giant gate of RM itself gave Khushi a shiver. She looked at Arnav.

"Where are you taking me?"

"This is my house you can stay here peacefully" Arnav uttered the first consoling sentence to her, after her father's death.

Khushi swallowed hard, seeing the palace-like house. Of course, Sheesh Mahal was also a palace. If he was capable of buying a palace, what's the big deal if he had a palace already? Khushi was hesitating to get off the car. Arnav stood, opening the car door.

"Get down, Khushi..."

She got down from the car looking at him.

"Come..." Arnav smiled at her pleasantly.

It was such a smile she never got from any MAN other than her father. Many men would have smiled at her. Those smiles held lust, expectation, desire, hunger, etc., etc., No one ever smiled at her as Arnav did. That smile gave her hope. She walked with him.

Arnav rang the calling bell and waited. The door got opened. It was Ratna who opened the door. She smiled at him delightedly. Her smile vanished, seeing Khushi. Arnav entered in without reciprocating her smile. Khushi looked at Arnav hesitatingly.

"Come in Khushi..." he welcomed.

Arnav saw HP coming from the kitchen.

"Hari Prakash, call Di" Arnav said.

"Jee..." HP rushed to Anjali's room.

Ratna followed them silently. Yes, Arnav was not in the talking terms with Ratna for the last ten years. She was trying her level best to mend things between them but Arnav Singh Raizada was not so easy to be mended. No matter how hard Ratna tried, he was stubborn not to talk to her.

Ratna stood, reading Khushi's face. Her puffed-up eyes and saddened face made something in Ratna's heart.

Anjali came downstairs all smiling. Arnav also smiled at her brightly. That was not gone unnoticed by Khushi. She sensed different behavior of Arnav with the women. Anjali hugged Arnav.

"How are you Di?"

She broke the hug.

"Fine Chotte, how about you?"

She looked at Khushi and raised her brows while turning her face towards Arnav.

"She is Khushi. She is going to be with us from hereon"

"Hi, Khushi..." Anjali smiled at her.

"Namaste"

"Mom, ask Hari Prakash to get a room ready for Khushi" Anjali said to Ratna.

Khushi was horrified. MOM? Was the woman Arnav's mother? Then why didn't he talk to her?

"Yeah, sure..." Ratna was about to call HP,

"Di, I want Khushi to be with you...in your room..." He said with a content gaze.

Before Anjali said anything,

"I too, think the same... she won't be comfortable if she is alone... am I right?" Ratna said.

Anjali nodded yes. Without giving heed to Ratna's words,

"Di, I hope you have no problem..." Arnav said.

Cutting him,

"No problem..."

"Thanks, Di"

They saw Arvind coming home.

"Hi, Dad..."

"Chotte, when did you come?"

"Just now Dad..."

Arvind was about to say something, he stopped, seeing Khushi.

"Who is this girl?"

"She is Chotte's guest," Ratna said instantly.

"Chotte's guest?"

Arnav looked at him sharply. That LOOK meant, 'we will talk later. Arvind nodded ok.

At the same time, they heard,

"Arnaaaavvvvv"

Arnav looked at the stairs. A girl was galloping down the stairs.

"How are you?" she asked rushing towards him.

"Yup... when did you come?"

"Yesterday..."

"Yesterday?" Arnav frowned because her house was also in Delhi. She often visited RM but she never stayed in RM. She was Arvind's friend cum partner's daughter Simran.

"She felt bored it seems. That's why she is here" Arvind said.

"Oh..."

Though Simran looked at Khushi she didn't mind asking who she was because she was sure that Khushi won't be related to Arnav. She didn't think Khushi would hold an important role in Arnav's life but Arnav's next sentence made her stunning.

"Di, could you offer clothes to Khushi or shall I bring them from AR?"

That made Simran frown. Why did Arnav talk about her clothes? Who was she? Did Arnav bring her here? If yes, why?

"I will give her. I have enough clothes to offer her" Anjali said.

"No need, Di. Just give her for today's use. I will get her new clothes"

Not only Anjali but all the trio got perplexed whereas Khushi was embarrassed. She was silently listening to them. She wanted to deny but she was scared to talk in front of those HIGH-CLASS people.

"Shall I take Khushi to my room?" Anjali asked Arnav.

"Let's go, Khushi," Arnav said and started walking towards Anjali's room which made them more confounded.

Khushi and Anjali followed Arnav to Anjali's room. Was Arnav himself taking the girl to Anjali's room? That was the first time, Arnav gave importance to someone other than Anjali... not even to Ratna. Arvind, Ratna, and Simran stood there with confusion. The only question was there in their minds. WHO IS SHE?

To be continued...