Part 37 Way of Handling

Alexander got the retrieved recording of Shyam and Khushi's phone call. Alexander's blood boiled, listening to the recording. Not just because Khushi was Arnav's friend. He didn't like such cruel men ever. He entered the cell in which Shyam had been locked. Keeping the thing called MERCY away, he started hitting Shyam black and blue with his lathi.

"Sir, why are you hitting me? you can't do it without reason. I will file a complaint in the human rights commission" Shyam talked about what he could do.

"Human rights commission? Really? Does the human rights commission give you permission to play with someone's life?"

Alexander played the record spitting fire through his eyes. Shyam's blood froze. Alexander continued his duty, making Shyam scream.

"Where is Khushi? what did you do to her? you must have known about her... or you should have done something to her"

"No, sir... I don't know where is she... please don't hit me" Shyam shrieked.

Alexander was not giving heed to his pleading. He let out all his frustration on Shyam.

"I'm going to send this recording to your wife," Alex said.

"Please don't do that sir"

"Why? Should not your wife know how romantic you had been with your sister-in-law?"

"Sir, she will die..."

"I don't think so... the woman who got to know her husband's true color won't die... especially when she has a child"

"She will break down..."

"Then only she could MOULD herself. Of course, it will take time for her to collect the broken pieces... but she has to do it"

Alex kicked him strong and came out of the lockup, giving the lathi to the constables to continue it.

He sat on the chair, removing his shirt. He was worried for Anjali. Not that he had a special concern for her. According to him, all the women who were getting cheated deserved concern. He decided to convey the message to Anjali in person. So that, he could come to the conclusion about her mental state.

RM

Nani and Khushi saw Amrita entering RM. They spared a glance at each other. Nani blinked her eyes at Khushi, hinting at her not to react.

"How are you Ma?" Amrita asked.

"TILL NOW, I'm fine... as you are here, I don't know further..." she taunted directly which embarrassed Khushi.

But, Amrita seemed not affected. She looked at Khushi.

"How are you Khushi?" She asked which surprised not only Khushi but also Nani.

"Jee... I'm fine..." Khushi smiled awkwardly.

"What's the matter Amrita?" Nani came to the point of not beating around the bush.

"I heard what Chotte did to Avanti," she said looking at Khushi.

Khushi looked down gulping.

"So?" Nani asked.

"I'm happy that he showed Avanti the right place... at least, now THAT MAN (Avinash) would have gotten some brain and would have understood that his tactics will not work with Chotte..."

"No one's tactics will work with Chotte," Nani said.

"I too was thinking the same Ma... but, now I changed my mind. I got to know how to make him say yes to the marriage... Nikita is waiting for him with crores of properties..."

"Stop it, Amrita. Don't make Chotte angry with your cheap calculations. you could not get a YES from Chotte to marry any Nikita, Vikita..."

"Don't I know that? That's why I came to get a helping hand"

"Sorry, Amrita. I can't do it"

"Who asked your help, Ma? Do I?" Amrita asked sarcastically.

"Then?"

"I'm here to get Khushi's help... Chotte's ONLY friend... I was worried thinking about how to call Khushi to RM if she is not here but thank God, she is here" She said as she didn't know Khushi shifted to RM forever.

More than Nani, Khushi was shocked. Should she ask Arnav to marry SOMEONE? Damn... How cunning this woman was...! if she got to know what happened to Avanti, then she should have known that how Arnav reacted when Khushi tried to leave his room. she should have understood that Arnav was respecting her more than anyone. Maybe, she should have thought that Arnav had special FEELINGS for Khushi. That was why she was trying to corner Khushi this way. How cleverly she was planning to hit two birds with a single stone...! She not only wanted to get Arnav's YES but also keep Khushi away from Arnav.

Nani was about to say something, Amrita stopped her.

"Why are you reacting as if I'm going to swallow her?"

"You are doing the same..."

"Why Ma? Being Chotte's mother, I would like to honor his friendship with Khushi. My son will feel proud of me if he gets to know my approach"

"Oh, really? Then stay here until he comes and let him know about your approach" Nani mocked.

"Mom, this is a matter between me and Khushi. You stay away from this. Won't you feel happy if Chotte is ready to marry?"

Nani was supposed to answer, but she stopped as Khushi asked,

"What made you believe that he will say yes to the marriage, listening to my words?"

"My son won't talk to girls... he doesn't have close friends... but now, he has... it seems he was not ready to leave your side for anyone. I'm happy about it. At least now, my son got a good friend who could guide him"

Khushi was silently listening to her. Amrita kept Nikita's photo on the tea table in front of Khushi.

"I hope you will understand a mother's justified wish. I would like to see my son's marriage. To do that, I want your support. Nikita is a nice girl. This is her photograph. Chotte will like her"

Khushi nodded ok smiling.

"Will you ask him to marry her?"

"You said Arnavji will like her, if he likes her, he will marry her"

Amrita frowned.

"Arnavji respects me. What does that mean? He won't hate everyone but likes somebody too, right? If Nikita comes on the list, he will definitely accept her."

"I'm not talking about whether Chotte accepts her or not..."

"I know what you are talking about... you want me to RECOMMEND for Nikita. Marriage is not about recommendation aunty. It's a holy relationship. No one can stay in it if the hearts don't synchronize. Who else other than YOU (she stressed) knows that?"

Amrita gulped down hard.

"You said Arnavji got someone to GUIDE him. I don't want to be a bad guide because I don't know anything about Nikita. Without knowing about her, how could I insist he marry her? Just because he listens to me, I can't fill his ears with something he doesn't like. That's the reason for me to earn a place in his life. I can't lose it for some unknown girl called Nikita. I can't cross my limits, aunty. I'm sorry"

The disappointment was written on Amrita's face.

"You want to SEE his marriage, right? I'm sure, he will get married... but, with the girl he likes... no force... no recommendation. If you are really concerned about Arnavji, please don't force him for something he doesn't like... just like me. Then he will start respecting you too, aunty"

Amrita was speechless. She didn't know what to say. She didn't expect, Khushi would deal with her this way.

"This is how you are tackling Chotte?" she asked with dissatisfaction.

"It's not tackling but handling. I behave with him according to his mindset"

"So, you are not going to help me?"

"I can't irritate Arnavji in the process of helping you, aunty. I will help you if I get another chance but, ONLY if it doesn't hurt Arnavji"

Amrita stood up from the couch and walked out of RM saying nothing.

"You are so good, Khushi. neither you were harsh with her nor did you agree to her" Nani smiled at Khushi proudly.

"I don't know how she got to know about the incident that happened in Arnavji's recording studio."

"What do you think? These two have no other work than stalking Chotte"

"Arnavji would have been happy if they had done that a few years ago," Khushi said.

"You are right... these two are so selfish" Nani said painfully.

Khushi felt bad.

Amrita came out of RM and got into her car. Arnav, who was coming back home saw her and tightened his jaws with annoyance. He got down from the car and walked in like a storm as always.

"Why did she come here, Nani? Why did you allow her here?" he shouted in anger.

"How could I stop her?"

"Nani, you have all the rights in this house. Don't you know?"

"But, she didn't come here to meet me"

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"I don't like to see her face, Nani..."

"She was not here to meet you, but Khushi"

Arnav was thunderstruck. He looked at Khushi with mixed feelings.

"She talked SOMETHING to Khushi," Nani said.

"Something means?"

"Ask Khushi... My head is aching. Whenever Amrita comes, my head starts aching. Let me take a nap" Nani went to her room, leaving them alone.

Khushi was about to go to her room,

"What did she say?" Arnav asked.

Khushi took Nikita's photograph from the tea table and gave it to Arnav. Arnav took it and frowned, seeing the photo.

"She is Nikita. Your mother wants you to marry her"

Arnav gritted his teeth.

"She wants me to make you say YES to the marriage"

Arnav tore the photo into pieces and threw it down.

"This is what exactly I told..."

"What?"

"I said you won't listen to me because I'm not important to you"

"Are you nuts? Did you really tell her so?"

"Then what could I do Arnavji? If I have the power to change your mind, don't I make you agree to marry me?"

Arnav looked at her speechlessly.

"How could I tell your mother what I felt when she asked me to prepare your mind to marry someone?"

Arnav stared at her gulping down.

"This is why I don't want to be here... the feelings I have in my heart are increasing every day. It seems I will die if I see you getting married to someone..." She rushed to her room, leaving stunning Arnav.

To be continued...