Part38

Arnav is going to go to Coimbatore which shook Khushi to the core.

Ratna: When will you have to go?

Arnav (looking at Khushi): Tomorrow evening. I will be back in a month.

Khushi excused herself and went to their room. LA also went following her. Ratna felt bad for Khushi as she knew she would.

Ratna: Why did you agree to this deputation? Why didn't you deny Chinna? Doesn't your company have anyone other than you?

Arnav was silent.

Ratna: Didn't you think about Khushi? How will Khushi study peacefully?

Arnav: She has to.

Ratna: No Chinna. I don't want you to go. Just say NO.

Arnav: Ma, please try to understand.

Ratna: Why not you understand?

Arnav: I understood very well that's why I'm going.

Ratna: What do you mean?

Arnav: She won't study if I stay here.

Ratna: You mean???

Arnav: Whatever she said a few minutes ago about me is what exactly she is doing with me. She wants to spend her time with me talking about our childhood memories. Don't know why she is so carefree.

Ratna understood their issue.

Ratna: So you are voluntarily going to Coimbatore?

Arnav(nodding yes): Yes. So she will study well.

Ratna: She likes you so much Chinna.

Arnav: It won't help her to get good marks in the exam.

Ratna: I will talk to her, she will understand.

Arnav: Ma, don't you know her?

Ratna: She will be upset in your absence.

Arnav: I know but I believe you guys. You, Garima aunty, and Lavanya will take care of her in my absence. Ask her to study. It's just a matter of one month.

Ratna: Saying is easy. I don't think it's a good idea. Hope you will not repent later.

Arnav: Noting will happen like that. But I don't want her to know that I'm going voluntarily. She is so sensitive, gets upset without realizing it. That's her problem.

Ratna: I don't like what you are doing... completely. Go and console her. She is upset.

Arnav nodded yes and went to their room. His face drained seeing her crying. He touched her shoulder.

Arnav: Khushi...

Khushi hugged with emotions.

Arnav: Hey... don't cry.

He wiped her cheek nodding no.

Khushi: Is it necessary to go? (Arnav nodded yes.) can't you deny it? (he again nodded no) How will I stay without you?

Arnav: It's just one month Khushi.

Khushi: Doesn't a month matter to you? Will you be happy without me?

Arnav: It's necessary. I can't say NO.

Khushi: Won't you come in between?

Arnav: I can't say anything now.

Khushi: Try to come once at least.

Arnav: I will try. Go and wash your face. Be brisk. Lavanya will call you.

Khushi: Go. I won't study for the next two days. I will be with you.

Arnav(rolling his eyes): Khushi I'm not going for years.

Khushi: I won't let you go if you go for years.

Arnav: Do you think I will go leaving you for years?

Khushi nodded no.

Arnav: I have to pack my things.

Khushi: I will help you.

Arnav: I will manage Khushi. Don't waste your time.

Khushi: But I'm going to waste a month.

Arnav: Make it worthier.

Khushi: Mmmm

Without hearing him, she started packing his stuff. Arnav didn't stop her from doing that as he didn't want to upset her more. Arnav awed seeing her packing skill.

Arnav: Wow... Good...

Khushi: What's the big deal? I'm doing the packing for years. In fact, I enjoy packing.

Arnav: That's nice.

Within half an hour she finished packing.

Khushi: Done. What next?

Arnav: Nothing. You can join Lavanya.

Khushi: Just shut up. If you say one more word about my studies then I don't know what I will do. Such a torture you are.

Arnav: Ok don't go. But I have to go.

Khushi: Where?

Arnav: To meet my in-laws. Have to say about my deputation.

Khushi: Ohh yah. Let's go. But don't you dare ask them to take care of me. I'm not a kid ok?

Arnav: But they are your parents. Remember?

Khushi: I know how to be careful.

Arnav: That doesn't mean I can be stress-free. How will I be relaxed when I'm going leaving my wife?

Khushi: As if you are so concerned about me...

Arnav: Of course I'm. Any doubt?

Khushi: Of course I have a big doubt either do you really love me or not?

Arnav: Am I really alive?

Khushi was awe-struck.

Arnav: I can't live without loving you. understood?

Khushi(pouting): Men are such scene makers. They mend things easily.

Arnav: Hey, why are you thinking so? Don't you believe me?

Khushi: How could I? I never had seen you showing interest.

Arnav: is it necessary to show everything? Can't you understand by seeing my eyes?

Khushi: But you always hide your eyes from me. You turn opposite sides to hide your real feelings.

Arnav: So it's true that there is something in my heart.

Khushi: What's there in your heart?

Arnav: You.

Khushi: Really? It does not seem so.

Arnav: Why so?

Khushi: Because your actions differ from your words.

She said looking down hitting point. Arnav lifted her chin.

Arnav: You will see my love after I'm coming from Coimbatore.

Khushi: After coming from Coimbatore? Why so?

Arnav: Khushi I have no answer to your question now.

Khushi: No answer? Or don't you want to answer?

Arnav: Be like a student for few days. You will get to know that your husband also has feelings.

Khushi: Only in words.

Arnav: Don't spill words Khushi... days are waiting to make you shiver by his actions.

For the first time, Khushi really shivered.

Arnav: Let's go.

GH

Garima was happy seeing Arnav and Khushi. She welcomed only Arnav as Khushi never wanted to be treated like a guest by her mother. At the same time, Shashi entered GH in Royal Navy white uniform. Garima intentionally ignored Khushi and gave coffee to only Arnav.

Khushi: Where is my coffee?

Garima: Go and prepare it by yourself or ask your aunty to do it for you.

Khushi(dropping her jaw): Of course she will do it for me because she is not like you.

Garima: Ratna is the reason for your haughtiness. She is spoiling the formula of Mother-in-law by dancing with her daughters-in-law. She should break your leg.

Khushi: Thank god. I have no brother. Or else his wife would have cursed you for your cruelty.

Arnav and Shashi were busy looking at them turning their face left to right.

Shashi(laughing): I doubt that you guys are really mother and daughter...

Khushi: Mom, will you give me coffee or not?

Garima: Didn't you say you are not our guest? Then go and prepare.

Khushi was about to go,

Shashi: Beta, you sit. I will prepare for you.

Khushi raised her eyebrows looking at Garima like "now what?"

Garima: Ratna and Shashi these two are the same.

Arnav nodded yes.

Khushi: Dad, wait. I will prepare for us. You sit here.

She went throwing a glare on Garima.

Arnav: I won't be here for the next one month uncle.

Shashi: Yah, Garima told me that you are going to Coimbatore. I'm glad to get you as my son-in-law who cares Khushi more than anything. I'm proud of you.

Arnav: It's nothing like that uncle.

Garima: But how will you be alone in a new place?

Arnav: I will be busy with my work and I will make myself engaged.

Shashi: Sorry Arnav. Because of Khushi's studies, you are voluntarily going to Coimbatore leaving everything.

Arnav: It's ok uncle.

Khushi(shocked): Whattttt!!!!!

Arnav closed his eyes disappointedly whereas Garima became tensed. Shashi blurt out unaware of the truth that Khushi doesn't know Arnav is going voluntarily.

Shashi: Haan beta, Arnav is going to Coimbatore because he wants you to study well.

Khushi was looking at Arnav gritting her teeth all frustrated. She kept the coffee tray on the table and ran out of GH. Shashi looked at her with confusion.

Shashi: Khushi beta, where are you going without having coffee?

Khushi didn't stop and went to RM.

Shashi: What happens to her? Why she left suddenly?

Garima: Because she doesn't know that Arnav is going voluntarily. You broke the egg in front of her.

Shashi: Why didn't you say that to me in detail?

Garima: Because I wanted to talk in detail when you came home.

Shashi: Sorry Arnav, I made it complicated.

Arnav(gulped): I will try to sort it out. I'm leaving.

He left GH thinking about how to handle the situation. When he entered RM, he heard Khushi asking Ratna...

Khushi(with teary eyes): Is he going voluntarily? (Ratna was silent) You are also fine with that?

Ratna: Beta, he is doing this only for your betterment.

Khushi: Nooooo... he doesn't even know what my betterment is and what makes me happy is. He doesn't want to be with me. That's why he is going.

Ratna: No beta, you are wrong.

Khushi: I'm not. I'm not that stupid to understand after seeing him keeping his distance from me.

Ratna got stuck for a while.

Ratna: You are angry. Let your anger cool down first. We will talk later.

Khushi: What's the use of talking when no one understands me?

Khushi went to the guest room and locked it from inside. Ratna saw Arnav sanding hearing their talks.

Ratna: I told you it won't work. See, what happened now. She is not a kid that you can decide everything on behalf of her. The communication gap is the reason for all the destroyed relationships. You should have conversed with her. you did a very wrong move Chinna. (pause) You are not allowed to step out of the house until Khushi became normal. This is my order. I don't know what you will do.

She went to her room. Arnav knocked on the guest room door. There was no response.

Arnav: Khushi.... open the door. Khushi let me talk.

Khushi was not ready to listen to him. She was that frustrated. Arnav stood there helplessly.

To be continued......