Part 46 Reaction to the Action

Khushi hugged Arnav emotionally. He reciprocated it with

the same zeal.

"Thank you for standing for me Arnavji..." She chocked.

Arnav pulled her from the hug and cupped her face.

"Khushi, I'm sorry... I'm sorry for whatever I did... sorry for not trusting you... sorry for forcing you into the marriage... sorry for hurting you... I'm really sorry"

"I know you love Di very much. To save her life, you married me. I can understand..."

"No Khushi... I didn't marry you only to save Di's life... I married you because I love you. I agree I misunderstood you and thought wrongly about you. Even though I thought you were wrong, I could not let you go to someone's hand. That's why I married you. I should have enquired about Shyam. I failed to do that. I was so blinded by my anger. I'm sorry..."

"I was upset with you because I didn't know the cause of your anger but now, after knowing the reason, I'm glad. You married me for ME. you did that because you want me to be with you..."

Arnav kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry, Arnavji..."

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because of me, Di is facing this phase in her life..."

"Shhh... what are you talking? It's Shyam who is the reason for her condition. He made her life hell. How could you be the reason for it?"

"Everyone is thinking like that only..."

"You don't have to think about them. I'm here to handle them. You just let me know if anyone hurt you. Please don't hide it from me"

"Arnavji, I decided something. I hope you will understand"

"What did you decide?"

"Shall I go to Buaji's house for a few days?"

Arnav was shocked to the core.

"Whaaat? What did you say?" he asked unbelievably.

"I think we should give time to Di to get normal. She is distraught. She will get upset or lose her mind if she sees me. She trusted Shyamji like a God. She is not wrong if she is upset with me. To get Shyamji's trust, I made the biggest mistake of getting close to him. I didn't have a choice, Arnavji. I'm sorry for doing that. That's why she lost her trust in me. Any woman in her place would react that way only. That's why I wanted to stay away from her. Making her stressed is not good for her and her baby. Let me go from here, Arnavji"

"Khushi, we can't change what happened. We should try to change the situation instead of running from the problem. Try to understand one thing, you and Di are going to be in RM that's unavoidable. You guys should have to face each other. No choice. Give me some time. I will make it all right. Please don't stress yourself thinking about it and don't think of leaving RM"

"But, Arnavji..."

"Do you trust me?"

"More than anyone in this world"

"Then, leave it to me. I know how to handle it"

Khushi nodded ok with a painful expression.

"Go to sleep..."

Arnav made her lay on the bed and waited for her to sleep but Khushi didn't seem sleeping. She was gazing at Arnav... the man who changed into upside down. A lonely tear slipped from the corner of her eyes. Arnav wiped it gulping down. She clutched his hand and kept his palm under her cheek. Arnav caressed her hair and blinked his eyes, gesturing her to sleep. Khushi closed her eyes even though she was not sleepy.

After a while, Khushi dozed off. Arnav covered her with a quilt and came out, without making noise. He went to Akash's room and knocked on his room door. Akash opened the door and was surprised to see Arnav.

"Bhai...?"

"I need to talk to you, Akash"

"Come in, Bhai"

Arnav entered his room.

"I want you to do something for me"

"Anything, Bhai..."

"I don't know in what state Di's mind is...! I want her to know how dangerous man Shyam is"

"She is confused, Bhai..."

"Of course, she would be... until yesterday, she was thinking she was blessed to have such a gem of a person as her husband. And today, everything has become a falsehood. I know how hurt she is. It doesn't mean we should be quiet. Making her understand the seriousness is important. Most probably, I want her to realize, how selfless Khushi is. She is innocent, Akash. I know how much effort she put into saving my life"

Akash nodded yes and Payal smiled with relief.

"We have to do something now"

"Waiting, Bhai"

Arnav said what he wanted Akash to do. He agreed to do that.

"Let's go..."

Arnav walked out and Akash followed him. They headed to Anjali's room and got stuck to see Anjali going to the kitchen. Arnav stopped Akash and asked him to wait. They waited for Anjali to come out. She boiled the milk and drank it. They waited until that. When Anjali came out of the kitchen, Arnav signaled Akash to start.

"Why does Khushiji want to go to Buaji's house, Bhai?" Akash asked.

Anjali stopped hearing that.

"Don't you know the reason, Akash? She feels guilty about facing Di. She doesn't want to be the reason for Di to be restless."

"But, What's Khushiji's mistake in this Bhai?"

"I know Khushi is innocent but what about Di? Do you say she trusts Khushi?"

"She might not trust Khushiji but trusts you, Bhai"

"I don't know what to say, Akash. I'm feeling helpless to handle this situation. Everyone is looking at Khushi like an accused. No one is ready to think about her sacrifices. Do you know how my blood boiled when I heard Shyam saying Di is the only hindrance for him to get Khushi? I would have killed him right away. I tolerated him near me only for Di and her baby"

"Di will understand, Bhai. She needs some time... that's all"

"That's what Khushi also believes. She thinks until Di sees her in RM, she can't be peaceful..."

"Are you fine with Khushiji's decision?"

"How could I be fine with her decision? She is my wife, Akash. How could I let her go? The only scene that flashes in my eyes is how she slipped from the cliff in the process of saving me..."

"What do you mean, Bhai?"

"Yes, I could bring her breath back only after giving the CPR treatment"

"Is it?"

Arnav nodded yes.

"Her love for me only made her do things against Shyam...! In the process of finding me, she went abroad. That's what showed her wrong in Di's eyes"

Akash nodded yes.

"Could you be without Khushiji?"

"No... I can't... you know Akash, Di once said, a girl would come into my life and become my life, I would feel like my breath would stop if she left me...! That day I laughed at her. I thought it would never happen in my life, but it happened. The girl is Khushi... now I feel like my breath will stop if she goes away from me..."

Akash was stunned. He didn't expect, Arnav would feel it so deeply from the bottom of his heart. He didn't feel Aranv said that for Anjali.

"I'm taking Khushi to Buaji's house tomorrow... I have no choice..." Saying Arnav headed to his room.

Akash sighed and walked back. Anjali came out slowly and stood there for a while. Tears rolled down from her cheek. She went to her room, wiping her tears. Arnav saw that and felt a tug in his heart. He didn't know how he was going to bring his Di back to normal.

The next morning

Arnav waited for the reaction of his action. it was a test for Anjali. He wanted to know her state. He knew it would be hard for her to decide this matter. Yet, he wanted her to do that because she had no choice. She had to act wisely. He had no time to wait because Khushi would not wait. She would think of going to Buaji's house again if Anjali behaved oddly with her. He didn't want it to happen.

Dining

Arnav came to the dining with Khushi. No one spoke. Khushi slowly started.

"Naniji, I'm going to Buaji's house..."

Arnav looked at her shockingly. After he spoke to her and asked her not to go to GH, how could she make such a decision without his concern? Didn't she trust him? Arnav felt dejected.

Khushi noticed his facial expression. She touched his hand softly. Arnav looked at her with disappointment.

"I would like to get my parent's blessings, Arnavji," She said.

"Blessings?"

Khushi nodded yes.

That was when they saw Anjali coming to the dining and were surprised. Arnav rushed to her.

"Di..."

"I would like to have breakfast with you guys"

Arnav smiled pleasantly, whereas Raizadas were delighted.

"Come..." he brought her to the dining. Anjali took a seat before Khushi who felt embarrassed to see Anjali. Anjali saw her bowing down. Khushi jerked, hearing,

"Khushiji..."

"Haan...?" She looked at Anjali who called her.

"Happy Birthday..." Anjali smiled at her, making Khushi emotional.

Arnav looked at Khushi stunningly, like, is it your birthday today?

To be continued...