55 Reality and Truth

"Even though Garima aunty was the reason for my mother's death, I can't punish someone who is not responsible here. How could I punish Khushi for the mistake Garima aunty made? Most probably, Khushi and Payal are not Garima Aunty's daughters. So technically, they are not at all related to this matter"

Arnav spoke making everyone speechless. What made them speechless was, not his classification but the way he answered coolly to Dadi without getting shocked about the revelation of the biggest ruth of his life. Khushi was the daughter of the woman who was the reason of his mother's death. Was not he supposed to be angry, upset, helpless and distraught? Instead, he looked calm, balanced, and sensible. That was what made everyone dumbfounded, Including Khushi.

"Chotte, are not you shocked about the truth? How could you be so balanced after knowing the most bitter truth of our life? How could you think clearly in this critical situation?" Anjali asked with unbelievable expression.

Arnav looked at Shyam dangerously. He looked down gulping down.

"It's because, I already know about it, Di" Arnav said making everyone shocked.

"Did you know it already? How? Who told you?" Anjali asked unbelievably.

"Nobody told me but somebody talked within them" Arnav said glancing at Shyam and Dadi. Dadi seemed unaffected but Shyam was nervous. Anjali followed Arnav's eyes and looked at both of them.

"I heard Dadi and Shyam spoke about it last night" Arnav said.

"What did they speak?"

Flashback

NK called Arnav and told,

"Nannav, Jeeju is going to Dadi's room."

"Ok, make sure that no one is crossing Dadi's room"

"Ok"

Arnav disconnected NK's call and headed to Dadi's room. He saw NK watching Dadi's tom. He raised his thumb at Arnav. He saw the door closed but he could hear them. So, he silently listened to them.

"When you went to GH, I saw something strange Dadi" Shyam said.

"Were you there when we went to GH...?"

"Yes, I was in Laxmi nagar when you went there"

Dadi nodded.

"Yes, Arnav behaved completely strange. I didn't expect he would be so stupid"

"I'm not talking about it, Dadiji"

"Then what are you talking about?"

"Before I say what I meant by strange, I would like to know something from you"

"What?"

"Do you know anyone named Garima?"

Dadi was shocked hearing Garima's name. Shyam noticed it.

"I wish I could not hear the name in my life" Dadi said controlling her wrath.

"Why Dadiji? What did she do?"

"She was the one who broke our family. Because of her, my son and bahu committed suicide. Because of her, Anjali and Arnav became orphans"

"What do you mean, Dadiji?"

"She was the one who trapped my son in her web"

"Are you sure?"

"How could I forget the name? I have been remembering her and her name again and again in the past fifteen years"

"Did you ever meet the woman?"

"Meet? I have even slapped her hard. Not only me, even she would not have forgotten me"

"Then, she should be the same woman"

"Whom you are talking about?"

"Garima..."

"Did you know her? Where is she?" How do you know her?"

"Not only me but everyone in Raizada family knows her..."

"How do they know her?"

"She is none other than Khushi's mother"

"Whaaaat?"

"Yes, Dadiji... Khushi is Garima's daughter. I saw Garima hiding with fear, when she saw you in GH"

"Now I understand from where Khushi got the home wracking trait. Like mother, like daughter" Dadi gritted her teeth.

"Are you going to tell Sale Sahib about this?"

"I will definitely say but not right away. I know how and when to say"

"Sale Sahib will break down and will become furious..."

"He has to... For loving an uncultured girl, this is his punishment. Getting furious, let him kick her out of RM." Dadi said.

Flashback ended

Shyam was panicked as he didn't know how Arnav and Anjali were going to react to it.

"I would have broken down if I had been that old Arnav. Their plan would have been worked if I had not known about Khushi. Thank God, it didn't happen. I got to know about her at when I was kidnapped" Arnav said.

He came to Anjali and clutched her hands.

"Do you think I'm wrong, Di?"

"You can never be wrong, Chotte. You are right. We have no right to accuse Garima aunty. It's our dad who should be blamed. More than that, Khushi and Payal could not be responsible for Garima Aunty's deed. They would have been kids at that time. Then, why would we punish them?"

Shyam closed his eyes, gritting his teeth.

Anjali looked at Dadi.

"So, you wanted to come to GH after knowing about Garima aunty..." Anjali asked disappointedly.

Dadi looked rigid.

"What a beautiful acting, Dadi...! How cleverly you brought us here and acted as if you just got to know Khushi's mother is Garima aunty...!"

Anjali looked at Shyam. He gulped down.

"Is this why you come back to RM?"

"Rani Sahiba please don't mistake me. I just wanted to know why Garima aunty hid seeing Dadi. That's why i told Dadiji about it"

"Instead of Dadi, you should have told me about it if you have concern about our family"

"Of course, I have Rani Sahiba. That's why I don't want anyone of us to get hurt. Trust me..."

"Di... Let's go home" Arnav said glaring at Shyam and walked as he had no patience to see his drama.

He stopped and looked at Khushi who was not moving and looking at Arnav hesitatingly.

Arnav came to her. Clutching her hand, looking at her sternly, he started walking with her. Khushi walked with him.

RM

Arnav stopped and looked at Dadi.

"Dadi, you should change your perceptions. If you can't do it, please leave RM"

Dadi looked at him shockingly. She looked at Shyam who nodded no gesturing for her not to leave. She went to her room.

Arnav ran his eyes on everyone.

"I don't want Khushi and Payal to be taunted. If you guys respect me, keep my words in your mind" he said looking at Manorama and headed to his room.

Khushi stood like a statue looking at him. She looked at Anjali and said

"I'm sorry Di..."

Cutting her,

"Khushiji, you too should keep Chotte's words in your mind. If he doesn't want you to be taunted, that means, you too should not apologize for the mistake you didn't do"

Khushi's eyes tear up.

"Go to your room, Khushiji..." She wiped Khushi's cheek.

Khushi nodded yes and went to their room. She saw Arnav gaping at the pool water, standing near the french door.

"Is this why you looked moody in the morning?"

Arnav looked at her but didn't answer.

"You would have been distraught knowing the truth..."

"Honestly, yes... I was confused too. I was struggling between the reality and the truth. From the time Dadi came to RM, my instinct is telling me that something is going to happen. I was ready to face anything but never expected the ugliest truth of my life would come out"

"I'm sorry, Arnavji..."

Arnav took her palm and clutched it with both his palms.

"Feel glad that you are with me when the truth hit me hard. When it comes to you, the truth didn't seem big for me..."

Khushi threw herself on him emotionally. Arnav reciprocated the hug with the same emotion.

To be continued...