Part 21 Khushi's Shot

Akash followed Arnav nervously. They came to GH and knocked on the door. It was Khushi who opened the door. She was bewildered to see Arnav and Akash in GH. Why did they come there? Would they ask her why she came from RM getting upset? Guptas wiped their faces and smiled at them.

"Won't you greet us? Shall we go back?" Arnav asked with a smile.

"No no... please come in..." Khushi said, giving them space.

They entered GH.

"Please take your seats," Shashi said.

Arnav and Akash sat next to each other. Guptas glanced at one another with embarrassment.

"We are here to inquire about Shyam," Arnav said.

Guptas looked at each other perplexed.

"Khushi said something about him. We are here to get some more information about him"

"He stayed here as a paying guest. We knew he was a lawyer. That's all. We know nothing about him" Buaji said.

Khushi glared at her for her blatant lie.

"He said he helped you to get your pension?" Arnav asked.

"Haan, that's how I know he is a lawyer"

"How did you know him?"

"We met him in Lucknow. He saved Khushi from some rogues when they misbehaved with her" Shashi said.

"Misbehaved? Who misbehaved with you, Khushi?" Arnav asked furiously.

All of them spared a content glance.

"Why are you silent?"

"A footage in which Khushi fell in someone's arms was telecasted on a local channel. Seeing that, a few rogues misbehaved with her..." Garima said.

Arnav got stuck as he understood who the SOMEONE was. He looked at Khushi who was looking at him penetratingly.

"Actually... oh..." he stammered.

"Amma, I will bring them tea" Khushi diverted them.

Garima nodded and Khushi went to the kitchen.

"We didn't know why Shyam said he is unmarried," Garima said.

"He said, people don't want to hesitate to approach him" Akash tried to make the situation light.

"People would have approached him anyhow no matter if he was a married man. There are a lot of lawyers working after their wedding successfully..." Shashi said.

Akash nodded yes, could not deny it. What kind of excuse was that? Shyam would have thought he could manipulate anyone with some silly excuses. Shashi thought.

Arnav's mind didn't get into their talks as he was sitting with guilt. He didn't know Khushi would have faced such situations due to his dirty ego. He understood why Khushi and Payal were sent to Delhi. He didn't even think his action would have such reactions and bulldozed someone's life to this extent. He stood up.

Everyone looked at him.

"Water..."

"I will get it to you," Garima said.

"No, that's ok..." he walked to the kitchen.

Payal knew why he went to the kitchen. He would ask Khushi about the footage incident. Akash thought he was going to ask her about Shyam. Both of them were right. Arnav wanted to meet Khushi for both purposes.

Khushi was preparing tea. She saw Arnav standing in front of her, gulping down. She smiled at him making him guiltier.

"Why did you reveal about Shyam? We wanted to bring it at the right time, right? Why did you break our plan, Khushi?"

"I didn't like him getting respect here. He was influencing my parents and Buaji a lot. I could not tolerate it." She lied.

"You could have told me about your decision... I would have suggested you something without revealing the truth..."

"I could not bear his pretext, Arnavji. I just could not stand. That's why I came to RM"

"Is there anything else that I should know?"

Khushi was stuck. How could she tell him the man who was his sister's world started revolving around her?

She nodded no but Arnav was not satisfied with her answer because she already knew he was married. She got angry with him but did not aim to go against his plan. Then what happened to her all of a sudden? Something must have happened. Khushi would not have done that without any reason. He turned to leave the place but stopped and looked at her.

"I'm sorry," he said.

Khushi looked at him wondering even though she knew why he apologized because he was not a man of apology.

"I... I didn't know my action would create havoc in your life. I didn't realize the consequences. I didn't think about the after effects..." Arnav saw Khushi's eyes tear up and she managed herself.

"Leave it, Arnavji. Now everything is alright. Jeeji is getting married to Akashji. They are DESTINED to each other."

Arnav sensed something in his heart hearing the word DESTINED. He felt like, he was so much related to the word.

"So, however, the previous marriage would not have happened to Jeeji. However, it would have called off. Now, you became the reason for that call-off. You don't feel guilt about it" She sighed.

Arnav gazed at her with regret even though she had a point. How could she read the guiltiness he had in his heart? A soft and prideful smile bloomed on his face, as he thought the warmhearted girl in front of him was his wife. He had often thought about how the girl with no match would become his wife. Now, he understood that she was a girl with a character of excellence. That made him fall for her.

Khushi saw him looking at her with a smile. She lifted her brows.

"You no need to worry about Shyam anymore. He is my responsibility"

She nodded ok.

"Do you trust me?"

She was stuck. Though he asked the saw question before too, but it was on the phone. Now, he was in front of her, smiling. She nodded yes and looked down.

"Ok, let's go"

"Where?"

"Where else? RM"

"But why?"

"Everyone is worried as you came from there all upset."

"No, Arnavji... I don't..."

Cutting her,

"I'm with you"

She was again stuck.

"Don't you trust me?"

She nodded yes. Arnav left the place smiling. Khushi brought them tea. Arnav was supposed to take a cup, but she stopped him and gave him another cup.

"It has sugar"

Arnav smilingly took another cup.

"Uncle, I'm taking Khushi to RM" Arnav said and sipped the tea.

Akash stopped sipping the tea and looked at him dumbfounded.

Shashi looked at Khushi who was also looking at him.

"Will you go?"

Khushi nodded yes. That wondered Akash. He didn't expect Khushi would agree to come to RM.

Arnav stood up, finishing the tea. Akash poured the remaining tea into his mouth and stood up. They walked out with Khushi, taking Gupta's leave.

Akash was suffocating like hell. He didn't know what would happen in RM. He didn't know how Arnav made Khushi agree to come to RM.

Khushi was silently looking outside and Arnav was watching her through the rearview mirror. He knew she was still upset. He too didn't know how would she behave in RM.

RM

They reached RM. Arnav and Akash walked in and Khushi followed them. There was no one in the living room, except Shyam. He was still in the living room not having the guts to face Anjali who was with Manorama and Nani. He was stunned to see Khushi. A mild smile crept on his face. It vanished as Khushi crossed him not sparing a glance at him. He followed them, giving them enough space.

They walked to Anjali's room. Anjali saw Khushi coming with her brothers. She got off the bed and came to Khushi.

"Khushiji, are you still upset?"

Khushi looked at Arnav and said,

"I'm not upset with YOU, Anjaliji"

Everybody understood what she meant. So, she was upset with Shyam.

"Di, I think we should stop talking about it to Khushi," Arnav said making everyone perplexed.

"Khushi is already upset. We know that and we could do nothing with that. So, let her handle it in her own way. We fixed Akash and Payal's wedding. I think we should not spoil the sweet moment with bitterness. Let's cheer up." Arnav said.

It was not just to make them forget it but also to make Khushi casual with Raizadas.

"Di, include Khushi in all the wedding preparations. She is so dedicated girl. I saw that when she worked in AR. She will give you many ideas..." he said.

"Is it, Khushi bitiya?" Nani asked.

Khushi smiled awkwardly.

"This wedding should be the talk of the town. Khushi will help you. Am I right Khushi?"

Khushi nodded ok.

"Do you want me to do anything in the engagement preparation?" Khushi asked.

"No, Khushiji. As it's tomorrow, Chotte and Akash have almost completed everything. We will start the remaining work from the day after tomorrow" Anjali said.

Khushi nodded ok.

"I'm leaving... I should make arrangements for the engagement. Jeeji will be waiting for me"

"Ok, Khushiji... we will meet tomorrow"

Khushi nodded ok.

"I will drop you, Khushi," Arnav said.

"No, Arnavji. I will go to the temple on the way"

Arnav felt helpless. Khushi walked out. She didn't know why Arnav brought her to RM.

When she came out of RM, she heard,

"Khushiji..."

She turned behind and found Shyam standing. She glared at him no matter how much she tried to control her anger.

"I know you would not tell them about my wedding proposal because I know you like me"

Khushi gritted her teeth. In no time, she removed her slipper and hit him on his cheek hard, making not only Shyam shocked but also Arnav and Akash who followed her silently without one another's knowledge.

To be continued...