Part 10 Commitments

Arnav's facial expression changed, seeing his mother at his place. Khushi looked at him and then Amrita. She didn't know who the woman was.

"How are you Chotte?" Amrita asked.

Without answering her, he walked to his room, ignoring her which made Khushi dumbfounded.

"Chotte, I'm talking to you only" she shouted.

Arnav didn't stop but continued walking. She rushed to him and blocked his way.

"Why are you giving me cold-shoulder Chotte? Can't you answer my question?"

"Why should I answer your question? Who are you to question me?"

"I'm your mother"

Khushi widened her eyes... was she Arnav's mother?

"Oh, really? When did you remember that you are my mother? Where was your concern for me when you go behind someone leaving me behind?"

"Chotte, stop talking old stories again and again. it irritates me like hell"

"Oh... do my feelings irritate you?"

"There is no use in explaining my side anymore. It's done. No one can change the past. You should understand one thing that your father is the one who is blameworthy here"

"You both are selfish... I don't like to address you as my parents who didn't care about me..."

"I do care about you, Chotte. That's why I'm here now."

"Care? and you?" Arnav shrank his eyes.

"I brought a very better proposal for you than your father brought for you," she said proudly.

Arnav tightened his jaws whereas Nani was horrified but she could do nothing with this. Avinash's good time, Arnav was not at home when he came with the proposal but Amrita was not lucky enough to have such an opportunity it seemed.

"Proposal...? What proposal?" Arnav folded his hands.

"Nikita Joshi ... her father and Suraj (Amrita's second husband) are friends. Do you know how arrogant that girl Avanti is...? Suraj is so stressed, knowing that Avinash is trying to tie a knot with you two. He talked to his friend and made him agree to this proposal" she said excitedly.

"Before I push you out of this house, leave," Arnav said with a dangerous look on her.

"Chotte..."

"Shut up.... Just shut up and leave. Or else, I don't know what will I do"

"There is no use in getting angry with me, Chotte. try to understand the reality that you too should get settled in your life"

"You don't have to care about my life because this is MY LIFE."

"Don't I have responsibility in your life?"

"You have lost the rights to set my life long ago when you needed another man"

"Chotttttte..."

"I already told you... before I do anything more. Just leave"

"What are you going to achieve being arrogant?"

"I will get rid of UNNECESSARY people... that's more than enough for me"

"This is how you brought up my son?" Amrita sneered at Nani.

"Don't you dare raise your finger on Nani?"

"Wait Chotte..." Nani stopped him.

"Then why didn't you bring him up as per your wish Amrita?" Nani asked.

"What wrong I did do? I got married to the person who I liked. Was that a crime? Don't I have feelings? Won't I deserve happy life? Why are you blaming me for something that's not wrong in my point of view?"

"Yeah... in your point of view, it may not be wrong but what about me? Do you ever think about me?" Arnav asked.

"Chotte, please... enough is enough... I'm tired of explaining things to you guys... what can I do? I'm trying to do something to mend things between us but you are not even considering me as a human"

"According to me, you are not a deserving person to be called a mother. Get lost" he again walked to his room.

Amrita turned towards Nani and her eyes got stuck on Khushi.

"Who are you?" Amrita asked Khushi.

That made Arnav stop walking. Nani was about to say something, she stopped seeing Arnav coming toward Khushi. Amrita didn't see him who was facing her back to Arnav but Khushi did. Nani was surprised, to see Arnav coming back.

"I asked you something..." Amrita said.

Arnav came to Khushi.

"You are not answerable to ANYONE Khushi."

"Why is she not answerable to me?"

"She is my friend and you don't have to poke your nose in my PERSONAL matters. Come on, Khushi" Clutching her hand, he again walked towards his room, taking her with him. That made not only Amrita but also Nani shocked.

"So, she is the reason for your rude behavior?" Amrita asked.

"You are talking as if I was so respectful with you before..."

Without looking at her, Arnav said while walking with Khushi.

"From when did you start roaming with a girl, Chotte?"

Arnav didn't mind answering her.

"Chotte..."

No response from Arnav. Amrita spat fire on Nani through her eyes.

"Why is he so egotistic?"

"Because of you and your Ex-husband"

"Is it wrong to get remarried?"

"Is not it wrong to leave your son alone for your happiness?"

"Amma, you are the one who should have made him understand my side"

"Do you want me to wound him more instead of healing him?"

"You both are adamant not to understand me. Then no use of talking to you guys"

"This is the right decision. Don't think of changing our mind"

"Mom, Avinash is trying to trap Chotte through Avanti. She is an arrogant girl, Amma"

"Chotte is not a kid not to understand people. he knew what he wants. In fact, he hates marriage and relationship... and the credit goes to you and your husband" Nani mocked.

"I will be happy if he doesn't fall for Avanti"

"I thought you care for Chotte but I'm wrong... this is your prestige issue. you don't want to lose the game against your Ex-husband... you want to show him that you can do something that he could not do... right?"

"Think whatever... I can do nothing with it"

Amrita left RM. Nani sat on the couch sighing. She looked at Arnav's room and its door was locked. What was there between Arnav and Khushi? Khushi called her and said, she was going somewhere but she returned with Arnav. Did she go with Arnav somewhere, or did she get a lift in his car while returning home? Let her come.

In the meanwhile,

Arnav came to his room and sat on the recliner. Khushi was looking at him hesitatingly. She knew he was upset. She didn't know whether talking to him would be a good idea or not. Yet, she started talking with the same hesitation.

"I'm sorry Arnavji"

Arnav raised his head and looked at her frowning.

"Because of me, your mother made you upset"

"I became upset after seeing her itself"

"Don't know what she thinks about me"

"You don't have to mind about that mindless woman. She could never think straight. Such a troublesome woman she is" he said irritatingly.

Khushi was about to walk away from the room,

"Khushi, wait... don't go out until she is here. Be seated..."

"That's ok" she stood hesitating.

Arnav sighed.

"Can I ask you something if you don't mind?" she asked stammering.

Arnav looked at her sternly. Somewhat, he understood what she would ask. Of course, she was the girl, who never hesitated to point out his mistakes. He nodded yes as he would like to hear her point... didn't know why.

"Why are you so rude to her, Arnavji?"

"Who is she to bring a proposal to me?" he tried to be calm, seeing her hesitant.

"Then you can tell her that a little politely..."

"She won't deserve it"

"But you deserve peace Arnavji... just because she is not worth it, why are you lessening your worth? Doesn't your behavior say who you are?"

"I don't care what she thinks of me because she never thought about my feelings"

"Apart from everything, you can give it a try to the proposal"

"Whaaaat?"

"Because we don't know who is destined for us. Who knows, Nikita's name may be written in your destiny..."

Arnav chuckled mockingly.

"Did I say anything wrong?"

"It will never happen Khushi"

"Why?"

"It will happen only if I want to give it a try..."

"Why don't you want to give it a try?"

"Because I hate relationships... I hate marriage... and I hate love..."

"Why Arnav Ji? Could you give one acceptable reason?"

"Just one? I can give you hundreds of answers. Those are humbug... No truth... No assurances... No commitments... No security... No loyalty... No responsibilities..." he looked at her tightening his jaws.

"How can you say that Arnav Ji? Have you ever experienced it? have you ever gotten into a relationship? Have you loved anyone?"

"Yes, I have my own experience. I experienced it through my parents"

"What did they do?"

"They loved each other... got married... and fought with each other... getting separated, they remarried to someone..."

"For how many times did they remarry?"

"What rubbish?"

"According to your point, if relationship, marriage, and love are fake, they would not have stayed in any relationship, right?"

Arnav looked at her gulping down.

"Marriage, relationship, and love are not real problems... but the people who are committing to it. Your father and mother might have gotten separated because something would not have worked between them. But they are living happily with another partner. If love, marriage, and relationship are fake, how could they be happy with their second life? Marriage is not a matter... but people who get married with differences are... I'm not advocating them. I have seen many parents, having a lot of differences between them living together for their children and ignoring their happiness. Your parents should also have done that for you. You have all the right to be angry with your parents. But, don't hate marriage, relationships, and love. You are a good human. You will get a good partner. You have to... just because you experienced something bitter in your life, don't come to the conclusion Arnavji. Don't live your parents' life, Arnavji. You also have your own life. Just live it for yourself coming out of your parent's shell. I'm sorry if I hurt you anyways"

She left the place leaving, speechless Arnav.

To be continued...