Part 8 Past

Arnav and Khushi were in the same agitation. Something that happened in their past kicked their mind. It was not the same situation but completely different from one another. But their feelings were the same... their emotions were the same... Inner turmoil was the same... They could not hold themselves from drowning in the past.

Though they have traveled in different paths their paths connected in a particular point that they didn't know. Thus it's time to unfold the cover...

Seven years ago

Khushi was getting ready for her wedding with a lot of expectations. She was just nineteen years old at that time. She just completed her schooling. She belongs to a middle-class, conservative family. She was liked by RICH family members. They wanted her to become their Bahu. They asked her hand for their son. Khushi's parents happily agreed to the marriage as they didn't want dowry from Khushi. Khushi's parents believed that they liked Khushi very much. That's why they were ready to accept her as their Bahu. So Khushi's parents readily agreed to the wedding.

The wedding got over. Khushi came to her in-laws. She was surprised to see a big bungalow. She could not believe she was going to live in the bungalow. Her husband's sister Shilpa welcomed her, circling thali.

"Welcome, Khushi" Shilpa's husband Kunal said smiling.

Khushi was sent to her husband's room. She was waiting in his room for him. She saw him coming. Khushi's nervousness touched its peak. After all, she was a small girl...

"What are you waiting for? Go to sleep" her husband Aditya said.

Khushi looked at him bewildered. She was said by her elderly neighbors how the first night would be. But nothing happened like what she heard. She lay on the bed changing her dress. She thought her husband was tired and sleepy. But he didn't sleep for long. She was scared to even talk to him. She didn't know what to talk about. As she was tired, she drifted into sleep.

Khushi woke up from her sleep and saw her husband still sleeping. She went to the washroom and came, taking bath.

"Khushi, get ready," Shilpa said

"For what Didi?"

"You will get to know that soon" she smiled.

Khushi thought she is going to surprise her. What she guessed was right but not in the way she thought. Khushi got ready.

"Shall we go?" Shilpa asked.

Khushi nodded yes. Shilpa, Kunal, and Aditya's mother Heera got seated in the car. Khushi looked behind expecting her husband to join them. But he had not seen in there. Kunal started the car.

"Khushi, do you know where are we going?" Shilpa asked.

Khushi nodded no.

"We are going to the hospital"

"Hospital? But why?" Khushi asked.

"Just for a general check"

"But, I'm alright..."

"Of course, we are also... It's our family's custom..."

"Oh..."

The car stopped in front of the hospital. Khushi saw the hospital board and asked,

"What's mean by FERTILITY, Didi?"

"It's hospital's name"

"Oh..."

Much more tests were taken for Khushi. A doctor and a nurse were with her all the time. Don't know why they were looking at her pitifully. Khushi smiled at them.

"I'm Khushi" she introduced herself.

They smiled at her.

"What's your name?"

"I'm Preeto, she is Sushma," the doctor said.

"Am I fit?" Khushi asked them innocently.

"Yes... Don't worry, we will make you fit"

Khushi nodded ok.

"Just follow the medicines. There won't be any problem with your delivery"

"Delivery?" Khushi frowned.

"Haan..."

"This is the best hospital for test-tube baby "

"Test tube baby? But why?"

"Why means what?"

"I just got married yesterday..."

They looked at each other and then Khushi. Khushi nodded yes.

"Don't you know anything?"

"About what?"

"Didn't they tell you anything about your husband's condition?"

"What's his condition?"

"He can't become a father... He is impotent"

Khushi was shocked to the core hearing that.

"Impotent?"

"Yes, he and his family know that. He was in the treatment... But no use "

"Then why did he marry me?" She asked restlessly.

Preeto looked at her miserably.

"To get an heir... To show himself FIT to the world..." Shushma said.

Preeto touched Khushi's shoulder.

"Relax... We are witnessing many stories like this, every day. Could you break the wedding?" Shushma asked.

"Breaking the wedding?" Khushi asked horrified.

"I just got married yesterday. My parents happily got me married to him. How can I break the wedding?"

"Then you have no choice other than accepting the process"

"Process means whattttt? What are you going to do?"

"We will make you pregnant..."

"Pregnant?"

"Yes, we will insert the test tube baby in your womb"

"But how will you do that? You said he is impotent..."

"The baby will form with SOMEONE's sperm"

"Someone's?"

"Yes, your husband is asking for a strong and talented baby. So we are searching for such kind..."

Khushi didn't like anything. She took a step to leave the place, Doctor Preeto stopped her.

"You look young and beautiful. Why should you bear all this? Runaway" she whispered.

Khushi gulped down hard. Where could she run? Preeto is right. Why should she accept all this? This family cheated them by hiding the biggest truth. What will be her parent's reaction if they get to know their dirty act? They will seethe in anger. They will... They have to... These people should answer her parents.

She came out of the room. Shilpa beckoned her from little aloof. Khushi was angry like hell. How easily do these people cheat them? How dare they? What are they think of her? Are they thinking she can do nothing? She came closer to Shilpa.

"Why did you do this?" Khushi asked with teary eyes.

Her teary eyes alarmed Shilpa.

"What are you asking?"

"I got to know your brother's exact condition," Khushi said.

Shilpa didn't get stuck because they are well prepared for this situation. They knew one day they have to face this.

Clutching her hand, Shilpa dragged her towards the car.

At the same time, Arnav entered the hospital, looking at the woman who was dragging a girl with her. He didn't see Khushi as she was facing her back to him.

Shilpa pushed her inside the car and she occupied the seat next to her.

"Start the car" she ordered Kunal.

He started the car. Khushi asked them many questions but her questions were not answered. None of them opened their mouth.

They came home. Khushi rushed in, searching for her husband. She saw him sitting in the living room. It seems he was told the issue. He looked at somewhere.

"Why did you marry me hiding the truth?" She pounded on him.

"What do you think? Look at this place... A low-class girl like you is standing here... Do you think you deserve it? You are here only because we wanted it"

"Who asked you? Did I ask you such a life? who are you to decide what I want? Who gave you the rights?"

"Look... This is the life waiting for you in this house... You have to accept it"

"Why should I accept such life? I don't want this life..." She screamed.

"Why?" Asked Shilpa.

Khushi looked at her wrathfully.

"Then what else do you want? Do you want to sleep with a man?" Shilpa asked her sarcastically.

Khushi looked at her husband who was standing said nothing. Khushi gritted her teeth.

"Won't you say anything? Didn't you hear what she asked?" She asked her husband.

"What's wrong she asked? It seems you want to sleep with a man" he said the same, heartlessly.

Khushi could not tolerate it... How dare they are...? After cheating on her, they are blaming her...

"Haaaan... Yes, I want it... What's wrong if I want it? If it's wrong, how would your mother give birth to you? And what your sister does with her husband?" She asked furiously.

People who were present there were shocked to hear that. As Khushi didn't expect, he slapped her hard. She fell on the floor could not stand the slap.

To be continued...