Part 74 (Last Part)

"You are a gentleman Aman. I like you so much but I don't want to marry you" she said smiling, wiping his smile away.

"But why?" Aman asked shockingly because this was not what he expected.

Before Anjali answered him,

"Do you think I won't be a good father to Shali?" Aman asked disappointedly.

Anjali rolled her eyes.

"Certainly not... I have no doubt you will fulfill a father's place" she said looking at Shali.

"Then what stops you from marrying me?"

"A marriage has many aspects, Aman. I don't have such an idea to get second marriage in my mind, Aman. I never saw you in that way. You are my friend. I want you to be my friend forever."

"But, I love you from our school days. You do know that"

"We were kids that time Aman. Maybe, if your love had clicked at that time, we might have been an understanding couple by now. But it did not write in our destiny. So, I don't want to think about it anymore"

"But, we still have a chance..."

"I have lost hope in weddings"

"Don't you want an aidance? Could you be alone for your whole life?"

"Can't I be alone? Why should a woman always be hanging on someone? Can't she stand for herself? Can't a woman be courageous?"

"Don't you trust me?"

"It's different... I trusted a man closing my eyes. It does not mean I won't trust anyone further. I do. It does not mean I should marry you."

"I can't understand your logic, Anju..."

"I am not against remarriage. But, I don't want to do it. This world is not a promising one Aman. I would like to be an example to such women who were deceived by their husbands. Of course, I got you. How many women will get such a chance? Why would women always be dependent? Can't they build their path?"

"It's not that easy to stand alone, Anju..."

"Then help me to stand... as a friend, give your shoulder. Be an example that a man can be a good friend to a helpless woman. You have life, Aman. You will get a nice girl. I want you in my life as a friend. The husband segment of my life is already ended up. I don't want to start it again. You are an understanding man. I hope you understand...!"

"This is what your conclusion is?"

"Yes... But, I'm the one who will be your PR and will spread your fame as much as possible. No modification in it" she chuckled.

Aman chuckled painfully. Anjali left the place. Aman was looking at her with ten-folded respect. He remembered a famous quote,

Behind every successful woman is, HERSELF...!

Not only Arnav and Khushi but also all Aman's friends were upset about Anjali's decision. Though they were upset they respected Anjali's decision. But Arnav didn't agree when Anjali told him about going back to her house. They got back to RM after finishing the reception.

RM

"The reception held very well... Hai na Nani?" Anjali said.

"Yes... It finished smoothly. I thought Amrita or Damadji will create a scene. Thank god, nothing took place like that"

"Actually, I want to talk about something with you" Anjali commenced slowly.

Arnav and Khushi glimpsed at each other.

"Tell us, Anjali Bitiya, you can tell us anything"

"I'm thinking of going to my house" Anjali stopped and looked at their expression.

"Where are you now? Is not this your house?" Arnav questioned her.

"No Arnav...I didn't mean it"

"Sorry, Di... I didn't interfere in your decision of marrying Aman because I respect your decision. But, this is not done. Erase the thought of leaving RM from your mind. It won't happen. I will not let it happen" Arnav said sternly.

"Haan, Anjali bitiya, you may not need us but what about Shali? Why should she be alone having us?" Nani asked.

"No Nani..."

Cutting her,

"If you want to go to your house, you can go but we won't send Shali," Nani said strictly.

"Please Di. Be with us" Khushi pleaded.

Anjali sighed and thought.

"Ok... but, I will share the expenses..."

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"I will be here only if you agree to my condition" Anjali demanded.

Arnav was about to say something, but Khushi stopped him by pressing his shoulder. Arnav looked at her with confusion.

"Okay Di... as you wish," Khushi said.

"Then, no problem..." Anjali took the sleeping Shali on her shoulder.

"Go to sleep. Good night" She walked to the guest room.

"Hariprakash..." Arnav called.

HP rushed to him.

"Arrange the room next to Nani's for Di tomorrow"

Anjali looked at Arnav.

"Jee Arnav baba..."

"Why Arnav? I'm comfortable in the guestroom" Anjali said.

"I don't want you to think you are a guest here" Arnav answered.

Anjali nodded her head smilingly and went to the guest room.

"You guys also go to sleep you must be tired," said Nani.

Arnav and Khushi came to their room. Arnav sat on the bed without changing his dress.

"Don't you want to change your dress?"

Arnav nodded yes.

"Then, why are you sitting here?"

"Nothing. I am thinking about Di"

Khushi sat next to him.

"I thought she would say yes to marriage because I always admired the chemistry between Aman and her. They look good together"

"But, somewhat I expected this" Khushi said, that surprised Arnav.

"Is it?"

"Yes, she is a self-esteemed woman. Didn't you see how strongly she stood in Shyam's matter?"

Arnav nodded yes.

"I admire her guts, yet, she would have accepted Aman's proposal" Arnav sighed.

"She wants to stand up for herself. What's wrong with it? She agreed to be in RM. We should feel happy about it"

"Do you think she can be alone for her whole life? Doesn't she need a shoulder to lean on?"

"It depends on the person, Arnavji"

"I think Aman should not have hurried. Her mind might have changed if he had waited for a few more days" Arnav said.

"Arnavji, what should happen will happen. We can do nothing thinking about it" She stood up.

"Where are you going?" He clutched her hand.

"Going to change"

"This dress is so beautiful..."

"Am I not?" She sat again.

"This dress is beautiful, it's because you are wearing it"

"Don't you want me to change it?"

"Why do you change taking time? However, it won't be on you in a few minutes" he said with a hidden meaning.

Khushi looked at him with widened eyes.

"Are you tired?" He asked.

She nodded no.

"You are lying"

Khushi nodded yes and chuckled.

"Go and get changed..."

"Why should I waste time when it won't be on me in a few minutes?" she repeated what he said.

"It's ok... We will sleep today"

"I can't sleep after knowing your interest in this dress"

Arnav chuckled.

"When we went to the party hall, the shopkeeper of the next shop to RM looked at us thunderstruck" Arnav smiled.

"Why?"

"He would have thought about our first meet I supposed" he laughed.

Khushi controlled her laughter.

"People who were at the spot when we fought would not have thought we will marry," Arnav said smiling.

"Even we didn't... then, how people would think so?" Khushi said.

"Yeah... I was like a barren land at that time"

Arnav kissed her knuckle.

"Thank you for coming into my life. Without you, Arnav would have been a barbarian... You taught me values. You made me an understanding person. Thank you for everything..."

"It's me who should thank you. You brought me to your place. Made me feel like your family. You saved me from the devil. You accepted my sister as your Di. You are an understanding person by birth, Arnavji. I just revealed it. That's all" She smiled.

"It doesn't mean I should not thank you"

"No need..."

"I will..."

"Arnavji..." She tried to say something, but Arnav stopped her from talking further by pressing his lips on hers.

After that, she was not allowed to talk. She didn't want him to thank her in words but she could not stop him from thanking her physically.

The End.