Part 5 Avinash Malik (Long Update)

Arnav looked at Khushi who kept the teacup in front of him.

"You...? Why do you bring this?" Arnav asked.

"Hari Prakashji is not at home. He went to the market... that's why I brought it for you. If you don't like to have this tea prepared by me, then no problem. Just leave it. I won't mind. If you drink it, I won't mind. It's your wish to have it"

Arnav was looking at her weirdly as she was talking non-stop. Arnav rolled his eyes. Taking the cup, he drank the tea. Khushi walked to Nani's room smilingly.

"Hey, you..." Arnav called.

Khushi looked at him,

"My name is Khushi... Not hey..." She said.

Arnav sighed.

"Don't you know to give a one-word answer? Don't you think you talk too much?" Arnav asked.

"Have you ever written exams?" Khushi questioned him instead of answering him.

"Whaaaat?" he frowned.

"One-word answers are not enough to pass the exams. We have to write long answers to get good marks."

"Unbelievable..." Arnav murmured.

"Why did you call me?"

"Thanks..." he raised the cup slightly.

"Welcome..."

She went to Nani's room and served tea to Nani. She sat in front of her taking another cup of tea. Nani tasted the tea.

"Khushi, bitiya... this taste remembers me, my mother-in-law"

"Oh... really?"

Nani nodded yes and took another sip.

"How did your mother-in-law treat you?"

"Don't ask me that... she was very strict. She had a long list of DOs and DON'Ts... everyone should follow her instructions. Otherwise, the house would become a battle field"

"Don't worry Naniji, My tea might have tasted like your mother-in-law's but I won't behave like your mother-in-law"

Nani laughed.

"Khushi bitya, I have one obligation."

"Tell me, Naniji"

"Please keep coming here. It feels like, I don't have to take any medicine if you are with me"

"I will come when I get time Naniji"

Naniji smiled.

"I have to go now, Naniji"

"Ok... but keep coming"

"Bye Naniji" Khushi came out with a smile.

Her smile vanished when she saw Arnav. She walked towards the main door and stopped, hearing,

"Wait..."

She looked at him. Arnav walked to her. taking her hand, he stuffed a cheque in her hand.

"Take this..."

Khushi looked at the cheque worth Rs 25,000.

"My God... I don't know my tea has so much of value" she mocked.

"This is for the hospital bill you spent for Nani"

"I said..."

Cutting her,

"You said, but I can't accept it. She is my Nani... you don't have to..."

Cutting him,

"So, what if she is your Nani? You were not there when she fainted. You were not there when she needed you."

"That's why I give you money to compensate it"

"It can't be compensated with money... understand that"

"See..."

"One question... if you answer, I will take the money. Otherwise, you will never ask me to take this money. Deal?"

"What's the question?" Arnav folded his hands.

"How would you have given me money if you never met me again?"

Arnav got stuck.

"I came to your house even after you insulted me... that's why you are in front of me with the cheque... what if I had not come again?"

"oh... I..." Arnav stammered.

"Keep thinking... I will get the money when you answer me. Bye"

She walked off. Arnav stood with the cheque speechless.

Two days later

Nani got stuck seeing the person in front of her. He was Avinash Malik, Arnav's father.

"Namaste Maji"

"Namaste... What brought you here Damad Ji?"

"I came to meet my son," Avinash said.

"Your son? Who is that, Damad Ji?" Nani mocked.

"I know you are angry with me. You are not wrong though. But you should have to understand something. I too have some responsibility on my son"

"Responsibility? What happened to you Damad Ji, you are talking irrelevantly? I feel to laugh hearing an irresponsible person talking about responsibility" Nani laughed.

"Your daughter is also equally responsible for my irresponsibility. Don't forget that Maaji"

"No... she was equally responsible for Chotte's present condition, not for your irresponsibility. You are the one who took the first step away from my daughter and Chotte. Because of you, my daughter found someone for herself."

Nani stopped for a while,

"What do you think Damad Ji? Even though Amrita is in your place my reply would be the same. You both are equally responsible for ruining Chotte's life. Leave it. There is no use in talking about the past. We can change nothing. Tell me why all of a sudden you are talking about your responsibility? What made you remember about your responsibility?"

"There is a very good girl in Rima's family. They are ready to give her hand to our Chotte."

Nani was stuck. That was what brought him here?

"Chotte is not ready for the relationship. Do you know why? He is fed up seeing his father and mother's life. He hates relationships. He annoys hearing the word marriage and most probably the name RIMA... your second wife... who is the reason for his parents' separation"

Avinash Malik became awkward.

"We can't let him be like this."

"What are you going to do Damad Ji? The scar you and your wife left in his heart is so deep. You and Amrita have forgotten about it. You both forgot about your son when you got a new life. Do you ever think of Chotte? Why are you showing sudden concern for him now? In what right you are doing that?"

"I am his father..."

"Father? Do you know the meaning of father? The father is the first hero of his child. Could you say you have made Chotte feel like that ever? I'm happy at least now you remember your son. Please don't bring alliance for Chotte"

"I'm sorry to say this Maaji. You can't control me. Whatever it is... Let's Chotte decide"

"It's your wish. I tried my best to save your respect from your son. If you want to get lashed over, who can stop that? Go ahead..."

"Where is Chotte?"

"He is not at home. Don't know when will he be back"

"Okay, I will talk to him later. But I am sure, Chotte will like Avanti"

"Ohh...really? What's so special in her?"

"She looks so beautiful with an extraordinary style, she is educated... and from a rich family"

"My daughter Amrita also had the same qualities in her. Then why did you need another woman? A girl might not need to be beautiful, stylish, educated and from a rich family but she should have character and a good heart. Chotte is working in the cine field. Do you think he would not have met any woman with the above qualities yet?"

Avinash sighed.

"I am telling this for your betterment only if Chotte sees you, he will lose his control. Please leave..."

"I am leaving now but I will come back soon" Avinash left the place.

Khushi who came to RM was listening to their talk, from outside the room. She hid behind the curtain, seeing Avinash. She waited until he left the place.

"NaniJi... who is he...? "

"Chotte's father, Avinash Malik..."

"I read it in the social media that Avinash Malik has built a new recording studio and going to launch a few albums with his partner cum relative Ashish Malhotra"

"Oh... I see..."

"His daughter Avanti Malhotra is a singer"

"Oh... How do you know?"

"I update regularly"

"oh.."

Khushi saw Nani thinking deeply.

"Why are you looking disturbed, Naniji?"

"I don't know how Chotte is going to deal with it. he hates his parents. Here, this man brought him an alliance" she sighed.

"What are you going to do Naniji?"

"I have to tell Chotte about it. or else, he will get angry with me if he got to know about his father's visit"

"Then go ahead"

"I don't know what things are going to be broken"

"Aiyooo..."

"Haan, he loses his control whenever he hears about his parents... that too, he talked so rightfully this time. I don't know what made him behave so"

"Then don't tell him anything..."

"No no... he will feel bad if I hide it from him"

Khushi nodded ok.

After a while,

Arnav came home and walked to his room like a storm.

"Chotte..." Nani stopped him.

"Yes, Nani?"

"I want to tell you something"

"Tell me"

"Your father came here"

Arnav's facial reaction changed into something that didn't give good vibes to Nani.

"I don't have anyone called father... I don't even know such a person in my life... ask him to go to hell" he shouted furiously and left the place.

Nani sighed and sat on the couch. Khushi bit her nail widening her eyes. What kind of man he was?

"Didn't I say? He behaves as this only" Nani said worriedly.

"Leave it Naniji... let him deal with his father directly. It's better if you don't involve in it" Khushi said.

But, they didn't know something horrible would happen.

Two days later

Aman rushed to Arnav who was in the recording theatre.

"ASR, see this..."

He showed his mobile to him. Arnav frowned seeing Ashish Malhotra's interview on the famous site.

"We are signing a contract with ASR. Everyone knew I and his father have a mutual understanding. We are planning to take our friendship to the next level and it may be a wedding. Yes, we are planning to get ASR married to my daughter Avanti. Avinash Malik already talked to ASR's Naniji two days ago. We will announce the wedding officially soon"

"What's this ASR? You didn't say anything regarding?" Aman asked.

"This is rubbish" Arnav gritted his teeth.

"What do you mean?"

"I know nothing about this... I'm not going to leave that Ashish easily. He has to pay for this"

"But, he said your father and Naniji had a talk?"

Arnav gulped down hard. He strode out of the recording theatre and started the car towards Avinash's new recording theatre furiously.

To be continued...