Part41

Khushi looked at Shashi disappointedly. Shashi got upset seeing her teary eyes.

Khushi: Why Dad? What if I stay here?

Shashi: Try to understand what you are doing Khushi. This is not a game to play. Even though if it is a game, play it in YOUR (he stressed) home, with your husband, without anyone's knowledge.

Garima: Haan Khushi. What will your in-laws feel?

Khushi: They are on my side.

Shashi: It's their generosity. They are not apposing you doesn't mean they are fine with their son's suffering.

Khushi looked at him dumbfounded.

Shashi: What do you think? Which mother tolerates her son's pain? Ratna is silent because she loves her daughter-in-law. But you are misusing her love. I can't let Arvind feel bad. Please don't embarrass us with your stubbornness Khushi. If not for Arnav, please go for your in-laws who treat you like their own daughter.

Khushi sensed remorse in his tone.

Shashi: You wouldn't have come here beta. Instead, you should have sorted your problem out with Arnav. Husband and wife problems should be inside the four walls. I haven't interfered in your matter so far, but not anymore after knowing that Arnav wants you to come home.

Khushi: But it's Arnav who wanted to send me here.

Shashi: That's why I didn't send you back but when he is repenting for his mistake, I can't be silent.

Khushi: Should I listen to Arnav every time? Can't I decide what I want?

Shashi: I won't say so. It's a problem between you two guys. If you want to fight with your husband, do it being with him. What's necessary to stay away from him? Will you continue staying here? Won't you ever go back?

Khushi was tongue-tied. She didn't know what to answer.

Shashi: Why are you frightening to go to RM when you are firm in your decision? You can show your stubbornness even being with him in the same house. Can't you?

He asked smirking.

Khushi(stammering): Wh...y not? I can do it.

Shashi: Then go ahead. As you dragged the issue in front of everyone, take your in-law's help and sort it out being with them. At least they will be relieved. Please don't disappoint them. Hope you understand.

Khushi also felt bad not for Arnav but for her in-laws. She didn't want their friendship with her parents to get spoilt because of her.

Shashi: Don't plan anything stupid to stay here in the given time. I won't mind bringing Arnav here then.

He smiled while Garima chuckled.

Khushi gulped hard. Having understanding parents won't help all the time because they caught us very easily. Damn...

This is going to be a real challenge for Khushi. Shashi said everything simply but it's Khushi who is going to work on it. Being with Arnav, she has to show her stubbornness and also should complete her exams. What the...

RM

Ratna saw Arnav standing near the window, looking at the sky. She entered his room and Arnav sensed it. He closed his eyes as he knew Ratna was here to talk about Khushi.

Ratna: Chinna...

Arnav: Ma, please, if you are here to change my decision then I'm sorry. I won't.

Ratna: Who said I'm here to change your decision? Actually, I expected this action from you long ago but you are too late.

Arnav: But you stood Khushi's side.

Ratna: Doesn't mean I was against you. (pause) Mother-in-law's role is the toughest role in the world like walking on the eggs. It will get a break if I press even a little. I couldn't take your side when Khushi was utterly upset with what you did. I warned you but you underestimated her. I didn't want to disappoint her who was already upset. That's why I didn't say anything regarding it. But now, I'm so happy that my Bahu is going to come here. By the way, you should understand the real issue. She is coming here not because you called her. It's Shashi Bhai who is sending her. So be careful.

Arnav: I want you to do one thing for me.

Ratna: Anything...

Arnav: you didn't interfere in this matter so far. Please continue it for some days.

Ratna(teasingly): You mean, I didn't see anything which is going to happen in front of my eyes?

Arnav: No no Ma, you can see everything but pretend like you didn't...

Ratna: Actually that's what I'm doing for a long.

Arnav chuckled at her.

Arnav: I'm sorry I taught you are angry with me.

Ratna: Of course I was. Never make a decision without discussing it with Khushi. See, how it turned opposite to you?

Arnav nodded in affirmation.

Ratna: Go to sleep. (Pause) I know it's hard to get sleep as my Bahu is coming tomorrow.

Arnav rolled his eye smilingly.

Ratna: Don't you dare disturb her... (pause) I won't say like that. (she chuckled at him winking) because she will get upset if you didn't disturb her. Such a crazy girl she is.

She left laughing leaving Arnav in deep thought. Ratna is right. She will get angry if he disturbs her but she will become angrier if he didn't disturb her. And she will definitely say "you didn't care to talk to me". What will he do? Wait... Let's see what she will do and decide how to react to it. Arnav lied on the bed closing his eyes.

Next morning

Seeing Khushi's bag in his room, Arnav got stuck who was coming out of the washroom. Without seeing her in the room, he rushed downstairs. Ratna surprised seeing him, who was standing, wrapping a towel on his waist and water dripping hair.

Arnav: Did Khushi come?

Ratna nodded yes.

Arnav: Where is she?

Ratna: She went to college with LA.

Arnav: Didn't she have breakfast?

Ratna: She had after keeping her bag in your room.

Arnav was disappointed. This girl is intentionally doing this to irritate him. He supposed.

Ratna: Go and wipe your hair Chinna. She will come in the evening. Go.

Arnav went back to his room to get ready for the office.

College

LA felt happy about Khushi's comeback. She shared the news with Archana which she already did with her through the phone. What a friend she is if she didn't irritate her friend a little then?

LA: Archana, do you know what had happened yesterday?

Archana (controlling her smile): What?

LA: As we discussed, Arnav Anna brought Khushi back.

Archana: Really? But someone was very firm in her decision of punishing him? Then how that miracle happened?

LA: Arnav Anna went to GH and got permission from Shashi uncle to take Khushi to RM.

Archana: Great... he should have done that the next day itself when she left RM.

LA: Well said. Let's see what will happen next?

Khushi was silent. She couldn't say anything because she had no idea about what Arnav is going to do. Let's decide according to his move. But she was firm that she shouldn't give up easily. On the other hand, she was scared too what if he forcefully does something? No... he can't do anything without her wish.

Evening

Khushi came to RM from college with LA. Ratna's face brightened seeing her Bahu's together. She hugged them with emotions which made them also emotional.

Ratna: Go and get fresh. I prepared a traditional snack today, especially for my Bahus. After that, you can study.

They nodded yes and went to their respective rooms to get fresh. Khushi got emotional again while stepping into her room. She sat on the bed and caressed the pillow gulping. She collected needed things and went to the guest room where she and LA were going to study. Ratna gave them snacks and they liked them a lot. After having tea, Khushi and LA started studying in the guest room.

Ratna saw Arnav entering searching for his queen. Ratna gestured him towards the guest room which was being closed. Arnav sighed.

Ratna: Need Coffee?

Arnav: Badly.

Ratna went to the kitchen and Arnav followed her.

Arnav: Did she have snacks?

Ratna: Yah.... Do you want?

Arnav: No. let me get fresh.

He came downstairs getting fresh and sat in the living room. Though he started watching TV his eyes were on the guest room's door. Ratna called them for dinner. Everyone gathered in dining. Arnav dragged the chair beside him and Khushi sat on it without creating a scene.

Arvind: Welcome back home Khushi beta.

Khushi: I had been coming here often uncle.

Arvind: "coming" but not "staying" right? That's why I welcomed you.

Khushi went silent. She could sense his disappointment. She thought her father's words about Arvind and Ratna. Arnav passed her mint chutney. Khushi didn't deny which surprised him. After dinner, Khushi was about to go to the guestroom again, stopped hearing Arnav.

Arnav: You can study in our room.

Khushi: We are going to do a combined study. I will come to finish it.

Arnav nodded yes.

She went to the guest room followed by LA. LA seemed disinterest which was not gone unnoticed by Arnav. He went to his room. He came out and looked at the guest room again and again. He saw the light of the guest room was still ON. At last, he slept.

The next morning Arnav saw LA was coming from NK's room. That means she slept in her room. She should have gone to her room at midnight. But why Khushi didn't come? She acts cool in front of his parents but she was not really cool. He understood that she won't come to their room that easily. It won't work in this way. He should deal with her in another way.

Evening

As usual Khushi and LA were in the guest room. Ratna was also there with them reading a Tamil historical novel sitting on the bed. She was there for a reason. Arnav would come from the office in an hour. He wishes to see his wife and Khushi won't come out of the guest room.

As expected, Arnav came looking here and there. As he didn't see anyone in the living room, he called Ratna.

Arnav: Maaaa....

Ratna looked at Khushi who became nervous hearing her husband's voice.

Ratna(shouting): I'm here in the guest room.

It was not hard for Arnav to understand why Ratna was in the guest room. He rushed towards the guest room and saw Khushi sitting with LA. His face lit brightly.

Arnav: Hi...

Khushi looked at Ratna whose gaze was certainly on her. She smiled at him didn't want to disappoint Ratna.

Ratna: Tell me chinna...

He came and sat beside her on the bed.

Arnav: can I get a cup of coffee?

He asked looking at his wife whose eyes were stuck on the book.

Ratna: Go and get fresh until I prepare.

Arnav: No Ma. My head is blasting. I will get fresh after having coffee.

Ratna: ok wait. Guys, do you want coffee?

Khushi nodded no.

LA: I will have with NK. He will come in few minutes anyhow.

Ratna left the room. As she expected, Arnav didn't follow her. He waited there in the guestroom. Loosening his tie, he opened the top two buttons of his shirt and rolled his sleeves up to the elbows. Absolutely his eyes were on his beautiful wife whose face looked more beautiful with a pout.

Being a very good mother, Ratna prepared coffee taking plenty of time without hurrying. She handed over the coffee cup to her son. At the same time, NK arrived.

NK surprised seeing Arnav in the guest room and he was not that dumb not to understand why?

Ratna: LA, see your hubby came.

NK (teasingly): Ma, for which exam you are studying with them?

Ratna showed the book cover of the Historical novel to NK.

NK: How many times will you read this book?

Ratna: Whenever I get a chance. For your kind information, you will never get such a book from anywhere, mind it.

NK: Yeah you are right. what did you prepare? I'm so hungry...

Ratna: POLI. (It's one of the tasty snacks of Tamilians guys)

NK: Wow, my favorite. Come... come...give it to me

LA: Khushi, wait I will just come.

She left the room following Ratna with NK.

Arnav kept the cup finishing his coffee. He came to sit in front of her. Khushi looked here and there but Arnav.

Arnav: Why didn't you come to our room last night?

Khushi: you wanted me here and I'm here. That's all.

Arnav: Actually I wanted you in our room... beside me...

Khushi didn't answer him.

Arnav: Won't you come?

Still, she was silent but the smile on her husband's face warned her.

Arnav: Won't you even answer?

Khushi looked at him without taking her eyes. Arnav left the room with the same smile which confused her to the core. She thought he would argue with her on this matter getting angry. Silent Arnav is always dangerous than anything. No one could predict him. What is he planning? She got nothing in her mind.

To be continued.....