Part 12 Talking about pain

Khushi could not believe Arnav Singh Raizada trusted her. More than that, he himself told her that. She could see the huge difference in him. What happened to the man all of a sudden? Did he sit under the BODHI tree-like Lord Buddha and enlightened?

Khushi saw Payal going out like a robot. Khushi called her,

"Jeeji..."

But Payal didn't look at her. Khushi followed her and saw her removing clothes from the rope which was not yet dried. She came to Payal and clutched her hand. Payal looked at Khushi plainly.

"What are you doing, Jeeji?"

"What?"

"Why are you removing wet clothes from the rope?"

Payal was bewildered.

"Oh... I..."

"What happened to you Jeeji?"

"What happened to me? I'm alright" She went inside.

Khushi followed her.

"I thought my sister wouldn't hide anything from me and she shares everything with me... but I got to know I'm wrong" Khushi pouted.

"What are you talking Khushi? What did I hide from you?"

"You hid that Akashji loves you... he proposed to you for marriage"

Payal was shocked. How did Khushi get to know about it?

"I didn't tell you about it because I don't think it's important"

"Why, Jeeji?"

"It's because I'm not going to accept his proposal"

"But why?"

"What are you asking, Khushi? Don't you know his mother? She hates us...! She doesn't even like to have us on her premises...! Did you forget what she tried to do yesterday? It was Arnavji who saved us. If he had not been there for us, we would have lost our last investment. It would have gone in vain. We would not have been relaxed like how we are now"

"Then why are you thinking about Mami when Arnavji assured he would be with you?"

Payal again got stuck. She understood Akash or Arnav would have spoken to her about it.

"He could assure now... but it's me who is going to live with them for my whole life. I don't think she is an easy nut to crack, Khushi"

"Arnavji will take care of her, Jeeji. He is like a loudspeaker in Raizada Mansion. No one speaks against him. Even though they speak he would manage them"

"I can't believe them, Khushi. After all, they are rich people. They don't know our struggles"

"What will you do if they come to GH and ask for your hand?"

"Khushi, talk about something possible" Payal left the place.

Khushi sighed. That Lord Governor said he trusted her but Payal was not ready to trust them. What would she do now?

The next day

RM

Arnav didn't believe Khushi would call him. So, he himself made a call. Khushi saw his number and was surprised. She didn't expect him to make a call as he said. She attended the call. Before Arnav spoke, she said,

"I spoke to my Jeeji but she is not ready to trust you"

"But why?"

"Because she knew Mami doesn't like her. You too know that"

"Is she going to live with Mami?"

"Is not Mami going to be in RM?"

"Akash will also be there... and me too"

"Are you guys going to be sitting at RM watching what Mami is doing?"

"Maybe not... but Di and Nani will be there. They are not like Mami"

"So, you agree that my Jeeji should be guarded by someone all the time..."

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"Akash loves her. He is ready to stand for her. What else does she need more than that?"

"How would she know he would stand for her?"

"He himself said that to her yesterday"

"Everyone spoke a lot at the beginning... but after marriage, everyone changes..."

"How many times did you get married?" he mocked.

"Haannn?" Khushi dropped her jaw.

"You are talking like an old woman... come to the reality Khushi. If Akash says he will stand for her. He will... I can assure it"

"How could I take your assurance seriously when you didn't keep your word in Lavanyaji's matter?"

Arnav was shocked. He didn't expect she would relate the issues that way.

"What are you talking about?"

"Didn't you break up with Lavanayji?"

"Do you know what happened exactly between us?"

Khushi was silent.

"YOU and Lavanya are not the same... She was ready for the live-in relationship..."

Cutting him,

"Live-in relationship means?"

Arnav smiled.

"This is what I said... you don't even know what live-in means... so, don't bring Lavanya here. You are not the same. We broke up because nothing worked between us"

"Will Akashji also break up with my jeeji if something doesn't work?"

"I told you don't compare yourself with Lavanya... she is different"

"What different?"

"Will your Jeeji live with Akash without marrying him?"

"Whaaaaat?"

"That's live-in... Lavanya was ready to be with me without marrying me..."

"B..ut... W..hy?"

"Because I HAD no faith in marriage"

"No faith in marriage?"

"Mmm... I hate marriage and rituals..."

"But, was not it the reality?"

"I WAS beyond the reality..."

Khushi gulped down hard. She didn't know whether she should ask him why. To her surprise,

"Life had given me only pain... that made me hate weddings because nothing is TRUE here. No one is loyal here. Everything is a fake,"

"How could you say everything is fake? Didn't your parents live happily marrying one another?"

"They didn't... that's why I lost faith in marriage because marriage is just a ritual. It's not an unchangeable contract..."

Khushi got stuck. Was not his parent happy?

"Your parents might be failed in their wedding life. It doesn't mean everyone would face the same in their life. Think about your Di... is not she happy with her husband?"

"I don't know"

"What do you mean don't know?"

"He is acting nicely in front of us but his behavior is suspicious"

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, my Di loves him like anything... but I don't think he deserves it..."

"But, Anjaliji said her husband is a gem of a person"

"He behaves like that... no one would say he could be a wrong person"

"Then, why are you suspecting him?"

"I'm suspecting him because his behavior is suspicious"

"Can't you find out what he does?"

"How?"

"Appoint someone to follow him... simple... after all, you have money"

"I will appoint a man to follow SHYAM"

"Shyam?"

"That's his name. He is a lawyer..."

"Lawyer...?" Khushi frowned.

"Do you know him?"

"I know someone named Shyam who is also a lawyer"

"Is he married?"

"No... he is not. He has no one. He is helping Buaji to get her pension"

Arnav gritted his teeth. He knew Shyam was the one who helped her Buaji to get her pension. He himself told them that. What was his intention to hide the truth? Why did he say he was unmarried? Everything would come to an end if Akash and Payal's wedding took place, he supposed.

"Ok, what do you want Akash to do to get Payal's trust?"

"Come to our house and ask her hand for Akashji. Then she will trust you"

"Do you trust me?" he asked which surprised Khushi.

"I will also trust you if you do what I said," she said in a low tone.

"Mmm... bye"

Arnav disconnected the call. Khushi looked at the phone frowning. What changed this man upside down, that he started talking sweetly and shared his PAIN with her? It seemed Lord Governor was not that bad she guessed.

RM

Akash was upset as Payal was not ready to trust him.

"Payal needs a firm assurance from you, I suppose," Arnav said.

Akash became thoughtful. He didn't know what to do to get her trust.

That was when Manorama called him. He went downstairs and Arnav followed him. They saw her with a family.

"He is my Akash bituwa... Akash, they are one of the millionaire families in Delhi. They would like to give their daughter's hand to you" she grinned.

"Maa, I would like to marry Payalji..." Akash said not beating around the bush.

"Whaaaat?" Manorama was shocked.

Akash looked at the family and joined his hands.

"I'm sorry. I'm in love with a girl. I won't marry anyone other than her"

They looked at each other and left the place not giving heed to Manorama's plead.

"Do you want to marry koon bari taang? What does she have that you want to marry her? She doesn't even have her own house... What quality does she have to step into RM as my Bahu?"

"She is a nice and lovable girl. It's enough for me" Akash said.

"It's not enough for me. I want my daughter-in-law to be equal to me in status. Or else, I won't agree to it"

"Ok... you want your daughter-in-law to be equal to your status right? I'm going to transfer all my AR shares to Payalji's name. Then, she will become equal to your status"

Not only Manorama but everyone was shocked, including Arnav. He didn't expect Akash would take such a step.

"Whaaaat? Are you going to transfer your shares to that Koon bari taang?"

"Yes, I have no choice other than doing that as you want your daughter-in-law to be rich. Payalji will become rich if I transfer my shares to her name..."

Akash looked at Arnav who was smiling at him.

"Bhai... please do it"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, bhai... I can earn money but Payalji is like a nice girl"

Manorama rushed to Arnav.

"Arnav bituwa... don't transfer the shares to that Koon Bari Taang's name... Don't know what she did to seduce my son. She is such a..."

Cutting her,

"I'm sorry Mami... I can't allow you to bash my company's shareholders. It's about my company's reputation. You better start calling her by her real name"

Arnav said, making a serious face, making Manorama horrified.

To be continued...