Part 52 Declaration and Decision

Dadi was shocked to see Arnav in GH, whereas others were surprised and relieved. He smiled at them.

"What are you doing here at this office hour, Arnav?" Dadi asked rigidly.

"I came to meet my in-laws and Buaji. As Garima Aunty is not at home and went to the market, I'm waiting for her." Arnav said.

Dadi frowned upon hearing Garima's name.

"By the way, this is my in-laws, no wonder I came here but why are all of you here? That too without my knowledge?"

Before Dadi answered, NK did.

"We too don't know, Nannav. Dadi asked all of us to get ready. She didn't reveal where she was taking us even after Nani and Di questioned her. She ordered us to join her. Without any choice, we came with her. Now only we got to know she brought us nowhere but to GH"

Arnav looked at Dadi sharply.

"I would like to meet our Bahu's parents. What's wrong with that?" Dadi said making a stern face.

"Nothing is wrong. She is Madhumathi. Khushi's Bua. Khushi's father is paralyzed. He is in that room, resting. Garima Aunty will be here anytime. You can meet her after she comes"

At the same time, Garima came to GH. She was happy to see Raizadas at her place. She was supposed to enter to welcome them. She stopped hearing a voice that she could never forget.

"Madhumathiji, what do you think about the girl who lives with a man without getting married?" Dadi asked.

Buaji shrank her face with confusion as she could not understand why Dadi asked an irrelevant question and others became nervous understanding the cause of her question, whereas Arnav gritted his teeth in anger. He looked at Khushi whose eyes tear up.

"Your niece is the one..." Dadi said without hesitation.

Buaji looked at Khushi shockingly.

"Ask, her, if she took Pheras..."

Khushi gulped down her fear.

"Without completing the marriage by taking Phares, she is living with my grandson... now tell me, what will you name her?"

Buaji closed her eyes, as she could not stand that. She raised her hand to hit Khushi but Arnav came in front of her and the slap fell on his cheek. Arnav stood looking into Buaji's eyes sharply. Everyone was shocked and Buaji was more Shocked. Dadi gulped hard.

"Buaji, you don't have to feel bad for slapping me. I'm equally involved in this marriage. In fact, I'm the sole reason for the wedding. Do you think I can be manipulated easily? Don't you know me? it was me who was the reason for everything"

"Arnav babuwa... I'm sorry...I was supposed to..." Buaji stammered with teary eyes.

Cutting her,

"Slap Khushi... right?"

Buaji was silent.

"If you can slap Khushi, why not me?"

"No Arnav babuwa... we didn't bring her up that way... we brought her up teaching values of our customs..."

"Did she ever argue with you going against our customs? Did she ever show hatred towards our rituals? Did she feel irritated to follow them?"

Buaji nodded no slowly and said,

"She liked our rituals... respected our customs..."

"Then how could she be gone against it? Just because someone accused her, how could you raise your hand on her? Don't you know her? Is this what you understand about her?" Arnav asked.

"If she respects our customs so much, why did she marry you without her parent's knowledge? Why did she elope with you? Is this what respecting our customs?" Dadi asked.

"It's because I didn't give her a chance..."

"What do you mean not giving a chance? Have you kidnapped her or what?" Dadi asked sarcastically.

"No... I BLACKMAILED her..." Arnav yelled furiously.

The hall became pin-drop silent. everyone looked at Khushi who closed her eyes feeling helpless and letting her tears roll down.

"What do you mean Blackmailed, Chotte?" Anjali asked.

Arnav nodded yes.

"Yes, Di... I blackmailed her... I said, if she didn't marry me, I would not let Payal and Akash's wedding happen"

All of them were shocked, including Dadi.

"But, why, Chotte...?"

"It's because I too misunderstood her as Dadi does. I thought she had an affair with Shaym. I so wanted to kick that man out of RM who ruined my sister's life in the name of love but I was unable to do that because you became pregnant. A pregnant woman needs a peaceful atmosphere. You could not get it if I revealed the truth about him. To get him and Khushi under my sight, I married her... that too for JUST SIX MONTHS...! To get you and your baby settled safely I put an agreement with her that she MUST be with me for the next six months..."

Everyone in the hall became horrified by the horrified truth.

"I married her to get her under my control... that too for six months. Then how could I think of taking Phares and all?"

"For six months? How could you do this, Chotte?" Nani asked angrily.

"Yes, I was wrong because I misunderstood Khushi. I tortured her a lot. Yet, she never told about it to anyone nor showed her dissatisfaction with my family members but gave only love and concern to them. More than that, when I was kidnapped, she saved my life, putting her life at risk, not once but twice. She almost lost her life in the process of saving me. I got her breath back only after giving her CPR. She can never think of bad to others. That's her character. I understood that only when she came to my rescue without caring about herself. If anyone had been in her place, she would be happy for the punishment I got because I have been so cruel to her...I hurt her... I broke her heart not a single time but many times... yet, she didn't think of leaving me in evil's hands but brought me back to RM. How could I leave her side? Is not it my turn to save her reputation? I don't care what you guys are feeling. For me, she is everything. I will stand up for her no matter who is against her...Is that clear?" He looked at Dadi.

No one had anything to say, including Dadi. The revelation of their wedding shook everyone to the root. This was unexpected to all. *Arnav blackmailed Khushi* was something they could not even imagine even though Arnav was capable of doing anything. They thought Arnav and Khushi loved each other. That was why they eloped. There was nothing to say more. They knew Arnav. He might be an angry man but not ungrateful. He would never forget the help he got from others. If it was so, he would never give up on Khushi who was even ready to give her life.

"I will not tolerate any drama anymore. If you are not fine with my decision, you can leave, Dadi" Arnav added, making everyone shocked.

Dadi stood like a statue. Before she said anything,

"Dadi, please stop all this. Don't interfere in Khushiji's matter. This is what Chotte wants"

Dadi nodded and left. Raizadas followed her. Arnav looked at Buaji.

"I'm sorry Buaji..."

"Please take care of Khushi. That's all I want" She joined her hands.

"Trust me, Buaji. I will take care of her"

Buaji nodded. Arnav clutched Khushi's hand and walked out.

RM

When they came to RM, Anjali looked at Arnav and said,

"Chotte, I'm leaving RM... forever"

Raizadas were shocked to hear that.

"But why, Di?" Arnav asked perplexed.

"Whatever you told us about Khushiji may be true. I agree she must be celebrated but I can't believe Shyamji is wrong. He loves you so much. He would not have thought of hurting you. he has a huge respect for you in his heart. (She said looking at Dadi) I don't know what made you think of him badly. I know you won't like to see him in RM. So, I decided to go to him"

Raizadas was disappointed with Anjali. All of them were looking at Arnav to know what he would say. Arnav walked to Anjali and clutched her hand.

"Di, whatever I did was only for your betterment and happiness. Even after hearing everything about him, if you can't believe me, you can bring him to RM. I have no problem. For you, I will bear him" Arnav said making everyone stunned.

To be continued...