Part 31 Preeto's Deal

Khushi called Preeto immediately after Arnav left. Preeto attended the call.

"Hello, Khushi..."

Preeto became horrified as Khushi started crying.

"Khushiiii... What happened? Why are you crying?" She asked panicking.

Khushi cried and said nothing.

"Khushi please stop crying and tell me what's the matter" Preeto pleaded.

Khushi managed herself.

"I don't know what to do, Preeto. Arnav sir and Abhi's attachment scares me like hell. I have never seen Abhi this much happy. He is telling everyone without getting bored that Arnav sir is his father. He wants to be with Arnav sir all the time. He cried a lot when Arnav sir wanted to go home. I faced a tough time with him. He locked himself in the room and denied opening the door. I'm scared, Preeto"

"What about Arnav?"

"He was the one who handled Abhi. He stayed here until Abhi slept. After that only he went off. I really can't stand his goodness Preeto. I could understand his condition. He has no one for himself. He liked Abhi even before he got to know the truth. After he got to know Abhi is his son, he is not ready to stay away from him. He won't... My heart bleeds when he pleads me to accept him. I feel bad when he left my house half-heartedly."

"Poor him... You could have allowed him to stay with Abhi..."

"How could I? He is Abhi's father not my husband. How could I allow him to stay here? Or, how could I stay in his place? Who am I to him? We are not related to each other Preeto. What will Abhi think of me if he gets to know the truth in the future? Arnav sir may be my boss but when it comes to my personal matter, he is still a stranger to me."

"How long will you handle Abhi and avoid Arnav's request?"

"I don't know... I really don't know... "

"You have to do something Khushi... This is your life... You have to make a decision... without hurting anyone... because, if you hurt anyone, you too will get hurt."

"I don't care about me getting hurt but neither I can see Abhi hurt nor could Arnav sir."

" Why are you feeling bad for Arnav? "

"He is a gem of a person, Preeto. He never had a satisfactory phase in his life. He should be happy."

"Don't you think Abhi and you are his happiness?"

"I used to control my feelings, Preeto. I learned to control my feelings. I don't think I can be a good wife to him. If I can't mingle with him, his life will get spoilt. I don't want it to happen because of me. He deserves better."

"Of course, he deserves better. But no one could be better than you. You want him to be happy. Who can think better than this for him? As you want him to be happy, you will surely make him happy. This is a selfish world, Khushi. People calculate only their benefits. Arnav will definitely get one among them if you refuse him. If you truly care about his happiness, if you truly want him to be happy, accept him... Marry him Khushi"

"But, Preeto..."

"He is the father of your son. He loved you even before knowing your past. He didn't change his mind after knowing the truth. What proof do you need more than this for his firmness? How could you expect him to change his mind after he got to know Abhi is his son? This is not about only your wish Khushi. This is about the lives of you three... Please don't ruin it Khushi... If not for Arnav, please consider Abhi. He is a kid. He can't understand anything other than his father because he got his father after longing a lot for him. Abhi will hate you if you snatch his father from him"

"I know... I have seen his anger today... I'm feeling helpless, Preeto"

"Relax, Khushi... Everything will be alright. Just go with the flow"

"I already am going with the flow only Preeto, Just like a dry leaf on river water..."

"DRY LEAF phase of your life got over, Khushi. Get regenerated and accept the treasure that is waiting for you"

Khushi was silent.

"Ok, let's make a deal..."

"What deal?"

"If Abhi goes to Arnav's house tomorrow morning, you should marry Arnav"

Khushi was dumbfounded.

"You should not stop Abhi. Of course, you can't stop him if he wants to go to his father. Bye," Preeto disconnected the call not wanting to make her embarrass Khushi more.

Khushi sat on the bed, looking at Abhi nervously. He will ask why Arnav left without bidding bye to him. But she was not sure that Abhi will go to Arnav's place the next morning. She was thinking about it without getting sleep. After the mid-might, Khushi slept.

The next morning

Abhi woke up early in the morning. He saw Khushi sleeping next to him. The other side looked empty. Getting down from the bed, he searched for Arnav in the washroom and also in the leaving room. As he didn't find Arnav in the house, he called Arnav on his phone. Arnav attended it.

"Hello..." Arnav said in a sleepy tone.

"Why did you go leaving me, Dad?"

Arnav jerked hearing Abhi's voice. He sat on the bed, squeezing his eyes.

"I got an urgent work as I came to your place leaving everything. That's why I went, Abhi. I'm sorry"

"Where are you now?"

"At home..."

"Ok..." He disconnected the call.

Arnav wondered. He thought Abhi will fight with him for leaving him. But he didn't. Abhi was unpredictable. He thought smiling and laid on the bed again.

After half an hour, Arnav heard a calling bell sound. He came downstairs and opened the door. He got stuck, seeing Abhi standing with his school bag. Without minding about Arnav, he got inside. Keeping the bag aside, he laid down on the couch.

"Abhi..."

"Dad, wake me up after an hour. Or else, I will feel sleepy during the class hours if I don't sleep now"

"How did you come here? What did your mom say?"

"I came by my cycle... Mom was sleeping when I left home"

"Doesn't she know you came here?"

"No..."

"This is not done, Abhi. You should not leave home without letting mom know about it"

"Then why did you leave home without letting me know about it?"

"I told you to know...?"

"You could have told me waking me up. I would not have felt bad not finding you beside me" he said not raising his head.

Arnav gulped down hard, feeling bad. He sat next to him and caressed his hair. In no time, Abhi lay on his lap. Arnav was dumbfounded as he didn't expect that.

"Please don't leaving me again, Dad. Next time, I won't come here but will go somewhere else."

Arnav closed his eyes disappointedly. What could he do? It was Khushi who should make decision accordingly. He too wanted to be with Abhi. But Khushi kept on denying. He felt helpless as he didn't know about the deal Preeto had with Khushi.

To be continued...