Part 8

Ratna was toasting on the bed, not getting sleep. Is it possible? Chotte liked Khushi instead of Lavanya? Did he see Khushi when she watering plants? Might be... he didn't even see Lavanya's pic before marriage. She should have sent Lavanya's pic to Arnav. It's her mistake. But how did she know that it will become a "blunter mistake" of her life?

She remembered him asking her,

"Don't you know before itself that Guptas have two daughters?"

That's why he lifted the veil to see the Bride's face on the marriage day, seeing Khush in front of him?

Did Chotte say ok, seeing Khushi? Did he misunderstand, Khushi as Lavanya? That's why he asked her about "Gupta's daughters"? That's why he is looking gloomy? What could she do now? Will her Chotte life be like this forever? Can't he be happy? She cried.

Whatever... Lavanya is her daughter-in-law. She has to work to get her close to Arnav. No choice. No one can change the truth of Arnav and Lavanya's marriage. No doubt, it will be the toughest phrase of Arnav's life to come out of Khushi like lively girl's thoughts. But he has a wife. He shouldn't think of anyone instead of his wife. She felt proud of her son. Even though he liked Khushi he is ready to accept life with Lavanya. That's what the value of her upbringing.

...........

Arnav got disturbed from his sleep as Lavanya's phone was ringing. It was 12'o clock.

Arnav (in sleepy voice): Lavanya.... Lavanya....

Nope, she was in deep sleep, it seemed. He took her mobile to switch it off. But stopped, seeing Khushi's name flashing. He sat on the bed. Why is she calling in this time? Is everything alright? He attended it swiftly. Before he asked anything,

Khushi: Happy Birth dayyyyyyy

She shouted. Arnav flinched. Is Lavanaya's birthday today?

Arnav: She is sleeping.

Khushi: Whaaaat.... Sleepyhead..... Turn the speaker on and keep the phone near her ear.

Arnav rolled his eyes and did what she said.

Khushi(shouting): Laaaaaaaa

La jerked in her sleep and sat on the bed shockingly. Arnav controlled his laughed seeing her expression. She looked at him like she was in an alien planet. Arnav passed the phone not turning off the speaker. She again jerked hearing Khushi...

Khushi: Why did you sleep....? Don't you know I will call you?

La: I thought you would be sleeping as you are going on a college trip.

Khushi: So what? I will sleep on the bus while traveling.

La: As if your friends will allow you to sleep.

Khushi: No one can stop me if I want to sleep. Don't you know?

La: Yup.

Khushi: By the way, happy birthday. I will be there to see you no matter how late I come.

La: I know. Anyhow you will come to see me today.

Khushi: That's great. Ask the Lard governor to take you on DATE. Or else today also that cynic will be sitting in the office. (Lavanya didn't look at Arnav nor did she turn the speaker off) Don't know how a man could be so rigid keeping loads of love inside him? (pause) Ok...Take care. See you tomorrow.

LA: Bye.

Khushi: Muaahhh... thousands of kisses..... Bye.

She disconnected the call.

Arnav: Happy Birthday.

La: Thanks.

Arnav: You can ask me if you want anything.

La: No thanks.

She laid down facing her back to him, covering herself with a quilt.

Next Morning

Arnav was waiting in his room for Lavanya who was in the washroom for more than one hour. He lost his patience and knocked on the door as he was getting late to office. Lavanya came out in a few seconds. She looked stressed. Is she crying?

Arnav: Are you alright?

Lavanya nodded yes. She left the room, seeing Arnav's analyzing gaze on her.

Ratna smiled seeing her.

Ratna: Happy Birthday Beta...

LA: Thank you aunty.

Ratna fed her Almond Halwa which she prepared especially for La.

La got a call from Guptas. Ratna let her speak with her parents. La finished talking with Guptas. At the same time, Arnav came down.

Ratna: Chotte, what did you gift LA?

Arnav: I don't know today is her birthday.

Ratna looked at La confusingly.

Ratna: Didn't you say to him that today is your birthday?

La nodded NO.

Arnav: I got to know only when her sister called her at 12o' clock.

Ratna: Ohh Khushi called you?

La nodded yes.

La (looking at Ratna): Aunty, shall I go to a temple?

Ratna: Sure... Chotte, take her...

La: No need aunty. I'm not going now. I will go a little later.

Ratna: Chotte will wait for you.

LA: Actually, I will go to Gupta House to take my parent's blessings. Then only, I will go to the Temple.

Ratna: No problem. (looking at Arnav) Take her to your in-laws.

Arnav nodded yes. They finished breakfast and got ready. Ratna gifted a designer saree. Lavanya touched her feet, making Ratna emotional.

Ratna: Be happy always...

Lavanya went to her room to keep the saree.

Arnav: Mom, we are leaving.

Ratna(whispering): Come soon from the office and take her somewhere.

Arnav nodded yes and left.

La didn't talk to Arnav on the way to Gupta house, as usual. They reached GH. Shashi and Garima were happy seeing Arnav accompanied La.

Shashi: You are going to have lunch with us.

Arnav said nothing but LA.

La: No dad, we are going to the Temple. And he has to go to the office after leaving me in the Temple.

Arnav: No problem. I will drop you in RM.

La: It will take time. And traffic will get hectic then. I will go to RM. You just drop me in the Temple.

Garima: I will go with La if you want to go to the office.

Arnav: It's ok aunty. I will drop her.

Shashi: If Khushi would have been here then she had joined you.

La: yup. She wished me at 12 o'clock, as usual.

Garima: She told me.

La: Ok... this is time to GO.

They took Guptas leave and started to Temple.

In the car

La: Thanks.

Arnav: For?

La: Everything.

Arnav frowned at her.

La: Aunty said, you liked me very much. (Arnav was silent) I don't know why you liked me. (pause) I'm really sorry.

Arnav: Sorry for?

La: Everything.

Arnav: I can't get you.

La: You will get it soon.

Arnav looked at her confusingly.

They reached the Temple. Arnav was about to unbuckle the seatbelt,

La: It will take time. You can go. I will go by myself.

Arnav: It's ok. I will wait.

LA looked at him for a few seconds and nodded, she went to the Temple. Arnav was sitting in the car, after taking "U" turn, unaware of, his life is also going to take a "U" turn.

Don't know why Arnav didn't like to leave. He felt something wrong. Why did she say THANKS, and also SORRY? He couldn't understand.

As La said, she took enough time. Don't know what she prayed. He saw people rushing suddenly. He looked through the rear-view mirror. And shocked seeing a girl was lying on the road, in the pool of blood. It seemed like an accident. He got down from the car and rushed towards the girl. He was shocked as the girl was none other than Lavanya.

To be continued.....