Part 21 Friend

The next morning

Arnav was lying on the bed. Though he was closing his eyes not sleeping. His mind was whirling in the thought of someone.

Flashback

Fifteen years ago

Arnav was sitting in the living room. He felt someone closing his eyes from behind. He smiled sensing the little soft palms. He knew who was that yet, he asked,

"Who is that?"

The little girl who was closing his eyes folded her lips to control her chuckle.

"I guess it's Chutki... but she could not be the one," Arnav said.

She came in front of him and said,

"It's me only..."

He looked at her tip-to-toe awestruck. She was wearing a Cinderella frock.

"What's the matter Chutki? You look gorgeous today..."

The girl folded her hands and made a sad face.

"What happened? Why do you become sad?"

"Go... I don't talk to you,"

"Why?" He frowned.

"You have forgotten what today is,"

"What today is?" Arnav thought, tapping his chin with his index finger.

"September seventeenth..." She flipped her lip cutely, controlling her anger.

"So what if today is September seventeenth?"

"It's my birthday..." she turned opposite to him, feeling upset.

She jerked feeling something. She saw she had been drenched in the chocolate shower. She looked at Arnav excitedly who was pouring chocolates on her.

"Happy Birthday Tintin..." he wished, bending in front of her.

She hoped on him and circled his neck.

"Thank you..."

He lifted her in his arms.

"Don't you forget my birthday?"

Arnav nodded no.

"How could I forget a cute angel's birthday?"

She giggled.

"Where is my gift?" She pinched his cheek.

"There..." he showed her the table that was being covered with a cloth.

Getting down from him, she rushed to the table and pulled the cloth. She saw a dress, unicorn backpack, little castle tent, paint and colors case, Raincoat, hair accessories case, and a watch.

"Are all of this for me?"

"Yeah... you are turning seven today. So, seven gifts"

"That means, will you give me eight gifts next year?"

Arnav shrugged his shoulders.

"You are so sweet" She kissed his cheek.

Flashback End

Arnav opened his eyes and looked at the photo that was in his hand. A cute little girl was wearing wedding attire with a STAR Mangal Sutra on her neck. His Chutki... his Tintin... his WIFE.

"Happy birthday Chutki..." he said caressing the photo with his thumb.

*Where are you? The astrologer said you will marry me again. how are you going to reach me? I married to you wholeheartedly I don't know why. I'm still waiting for you because I believe I will surely meet you one day. I still remember how you went to KEDARNATH with your father unwillingly because you didn't want to go, leaving me. Don't know why you got separated from me. You went to worship Kedarnath. If that Kedarnath has power, he will make you reach me..."

He hid the photo under his pillow, hearing a knocking sound. he went to open the door. He saw Ratna standing.

"Haan, Mom..."

"Chotte, get ready and leave RM. Quick..."

"But why?"

"I don't want you to face Lavanya before Khushi talks to her because we don't know what Lavanya's stand is"

"We will get to know that today"

"Of course, Chotte... being her mother and brother, we can't be quiet without talking to her. At the same time, we should not talk to her softly because she was wrong. To avoid such complications only I'm asking you to leave RM"

"Mom, being her brother, however, I should have to talk to her. it's my responsibility. I can't be quiet because she will get to know Nikhil is under police custody. We can't hide it from her. So, I will talk to her"

"But, you will lose your temper if she talks senselessly..."

"I will try not to... ok?"

"Please, be careful about your choice of words, Chotte..."

Arnav nodded yes.

"Has she woken up?"

"Not yet..."

"Mmm"

He went to the washroom to finish his morning shower.

In the meanwhile,

Lavanya woke up from her sleep feeling odd. She felt heaviness in her head. She recalled the previous day's happenings. She became horrified. She didn't know how she came to RM. Her mind sparkled when she remembered that she met Khushi last night at the Daffodil Resort. How did Khushi come there? Was she also invited to the party? Did she know Nikhil? Was she Nikhil's friend? But why did she drag her away from the party hall? Where did she take her? Why she could not remember anything? She could not understand.

She went to the washroom and took a bath.

Arnav came to dining and had breakfast. Washing his hands, he came to the living room and checked Emails.

That was when Lavanya came there. She sat in front of Arnav. Though he sensed her presence he stayed still not to look at her.

"Arnav..." Lavanya called him while sitting next to him.

Arnav lifted his eyes from his phone and looked at her. Ratna who came out of the kitchen rushed to them nervously.

"Actually, I'm in love with Nikhil," Lavanya said.

"Do you know who Nikhil is?" Arnav asked, not showing his disappointment.

"He is a businessman... I met him at a party. I liked his polite nature. He wants to talk to Dad about our wedding. He told me that yesterday. He will soon meet Dad"

"Neither he will meet Dad nor will he marry you"

"No, Arnav, he will definitely come to RM"

"He won't dare come here..." he said controlling his anger.

"Why? Why doesn't he come here?"

"It's because he doesn't love you... He just pretended to revenge on me. He used you as bait..."

"Why would he revenge you?"

"He is my business rival"

"Arnav, you are mistaken... he has huge respect for you. He admires your skills you know"

Arnav stood up losing his patience.

"It's all pretext to make you trust him... that's why you went to his party without understanding its seriousness"

"I went to the party because I know him very well"

Arnav tightened his fist, gritting his teeth, and was about to shout at her. Before he did that, they heard,

"No, Lavanya... you don't know him"

They looked at Khushi who entered RM. Lavanya looked at her frowning where Arnav and Ratna calmed themselves. Lavanya rushed to Khushi,

"Khushi, you came to Nikhil's party last night. Then why are you saying so?"

"I didn't come to the party. I came you save you from Nikhil"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you remember what happened after you saw me at the party last night?"

Lavanya nodded no.

"Did you think why?"

"I felt my head spinning"

"It's because your drink was spiked"

"Whaaaat?"

"Yes..."

"But why? What was the reason?"

"Rivalry is the reason. He is your brother's rival"

"I can't believe Nikhil is Arnav's rival"

"Of course, you won't believe it because you are not interested to know about your brother's business. You don't know what he is doing and with whom he is fighting. Nikhil wanted to pull Mr. Raizada down by using you. That's why he spiked your drink. I saw you going with him. I doubted him and followed you. I heard him telling his man to capture your video..."

"What video?"

Khushi looked at Ratna and looked down.

"It was such a video that would destroy your respect"

Lavanya shook her head.

"Nooo... Nikhil would not have done that... he is not such a guy"

"I know you won't trust it... not only you, no girl in your position would have..."

She stopped for a while,

"I called Aman sir and told him you are with Nikhil. He asked me not to disconnect the call... I stayed on the line until he reached the Resort with Mr. Raizada. I recorded the call..."

Arnav was amazed. Did she record the call? Did her mind work in that critical situation too?

Khushi ran the audio. Lavanya listened to it. she didn't think what Khushi told her about Nikhil was a lie. Because she heard what Khushi did to save her from the buffaloes. She cried, closing her face. Khushi touched her shoulder. In no time, Lavanya cried hugging her.

"I trusted him, Khushi... how could he cheat me? I thought he was a genuine person but he took me granted..."

"I won't blame him but you, Lavanya"

Lavanya looked at her perplexed.

"What did I do Khushi?"

"You didn't do what you had to..."

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't realize who you are... you are not a random girl to roam around a random guy, Lavanya. You are a sister of a man who owned an empire. People who want his downfall will sooner or later use you as bait. Can't you understand this simple logic? How strong you were at our college times...? I had seen boys fearing to near you. How did you accept someone so blindly? You are an educated, Lavanya. Our degree is not just a few letters to add behind our name...! it's a knowledge that gives us a clear vision of our life. understand your value, Lavanya. Then you will understand what should be done and what should not..."

Lavanya gulped down hard.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you..."

Lavanya nodded no.

"Thank you for saving me..."

Khushi smiled.

"I can't even imagine my condition if you hadn't helped me..."

"It's not a help but a responsibility of every girl. I would have done the same if anyone would have been in your place..."

"That I know"

"Don't think of that moron. Make yourself up"

Lavanya nodded yes.

Khushi smiled at Ratna who advanced her.

"Thank you so much, beta..."

Khushi was supposed to say something, but Ratna stopped her by showing her hand.

"You have to accept my gratitude... as a mother, only I know the depth of your action... so, accept it"

Khushi nodded smiling. She looked at her watch.

"Ok, Aunty, I have to go..."

"Why so soon?"

"There is a lot of work at the office. that's why"

"I will talk to Aman..."

"It's ok, Aunty... I will come another day... trust me"

Ratna sighed.

"Ok, how did you come?"

"By cab"

"But last time you came on your two-wheeler..."

"No petrol in my bike. That's why I came by cab"

Ratna looked at Arnav who was silently standing.

"Chotte, take Khushi with you"

Arnav nodded ok.

"No need aunty... I will go..."

"Arrye, both are going to the same office. Then why do you guys go separately?"

Khushi looked at Arnav without answering.

"She is afraid of me... that's why" Said Arnav.

Khushi looked at him sarcastically.

"Go with him, Khushi..."

Khushi nodded ok sighing. Arnav smirked.

To be continued...