Part 64 No Courtesy

Khushi came to their room and saw Arnav sitting on the recliner, looking down, entwining his fingers. He raised his head, seeing Khushi entering. He stood up and walked to her with hasty steps. Clutching her upper arms, he asked,

"What are you doing, Khushi?"

"What did I do, Arnavji?"

"Why did you ask Sheetal to stay in RM?"

"She is your friend, Arnavji..."

"She is my friend not yours..."

"But, she is in a critical condition"

"Are you sure she is in a critical condition?"

"She said..."

Cutting her,

"Just because she said... would you believe, closing your eyes? Will you believe anything said by anyone?"

"She is your friend, Arnavji. That's why..."

"Then, you should have let me decide instead of making a decision, Khushi..."

"I just wanted to help her..."

"You just met her today. How could you give your helping hand to the stranger?"

"I don't know what to say, Arnavji... I didn't expect you to react this way... I thought you would appreciate me"

Arnav rolled his eyes. He made her sit on the bed and sat next to her.

"Khushi, listen. I don't like anyone entering into our lives"

"Why are you saying so, Arnavji? She is JUST going to stay in RM for a few days..."

"Yes... JUST for a few days. That's why I'm silent"

"Silent?" she bit her nail.

Arnav rolled his eyes and left the place. Khushi stood with confusion.

*Why didn't Arnavji want her to stay here? Why is he scared? Is there something between them?* She bit her nail.

On the other side,

Manorama was pacing here and there.

"Are you thinking about the guy who looked like me?" Manohar teased her.

She glared at him.

"Dadiji said that to put some brains in your head. So, don't confuse it more"

"I'm not thinking about it but Sheetal"

"I hope you are not thinking about dressing up like her" he teased.

"Can't you be quiet for a while?"

"Ok... what are you thinking about her?"

"Dadiji is right. Why does she dress up his son like our Arnav bituwa?"

"Are you suspecting our Arnav bituwa?"

"I'm suspecting Sheetal"

"Thank God..." he chuckled, touching his chest.

"Don't I know our Arnav Bituwa? He studied in the US. he came back to India single..."

"But, he wanted to be in live-in relationship with Lavanya"

"It's because he didn't like marriage. Lavanya matched his disinterest in marriage. So, he thought he could live without getting married. He never gave heed to any girl other than Kusi..."

"Haan, I still can't believe he danced with her in Akash bituwa's Sangeeth... he almost forgot that he was in public... it happened only with Kusi bitiya"

"That's what I'm thinking. If so, there is no chance for the boy to be like Arnav bituwa. yet, he is... how?"

Manohar became thoughtful.

"investigation karka padi" She blew her fingertips like a James Bond.

Manohar rolled his eyes smiling.

...........

As expected, Sheetal landed in RM with her luggage the same evening.

Khushi asked HP to allot the guest room for her. She didn't show much interest in greeting her. She didn't want to upset Arnav more. After all, she was Arnav's Khushi.

As Dadi warned Raizadas, they kept their distance from Sheetal And Aarav. Khushi was in the kitchen. She saw Sheetal coming.

"Do you want anything, Sheetalji?"

"Water..."

Khushi filled a glass of water and handed it to Sheetal. Taking it, she sipped.

"Where is Arnav?" She asked.

"In our room"

"Oh... we studied together in college"

"Arnavji told me"

"What did he tell you about me?"

"He said you are his college mate"

"He should have become excited to see me after a long"

Khushi smiled at her awkwardly.

"You know what, we were always together when we studied"

Khushi shrank her eyes. She didn't like her flaunting herself as Arnav's close friend but Arnav wanted her not to stay in RM. She thought Sheetal was intentionally irritating her. So, she decided to shut her mouth.

"Is it, Sheetalji? If it is so, why did Arnavji get angry with me when I asked you to stay here?" She asked as she thought about it deeply.

Sheetal's facial expression changed. She balanced swiftly and smiled.

"I think he doesn't want any problem in his family"

Khushi looked at her jerking. She understood what she meant. Yet, she said,

"Oh, Arnavji would have known your character..."

Sheetal looked at her shockingly.

"You should have created a lot of problems during your college time. That's why he didn't want you to stay here"

Sheetal was shocked.

"No no... I didn't mean it..."

"Then what did you mean, Sheetalji?"

"Arnav is married... I'm his college mate. It may create some doubt in your mind..."

Cutting her,

"Excuse me, if I'm such a woman, I would not even let you enter RM. I let you in because I know Arnavji. He never gives heed to any girls. It's the one and only me who made him understand the feelings of love. He told me that. So, you don't have to bother about us. No one can make a rift between me and Arnavji. If anyone tries to do that, they will see the worst side of Arnavji" Khushi left the place taking a coffee cup.

Sheetal stood stunning. She could not believe what Khushi said was true. How did Arnav Singh Raizada like a fashion king fall for Khushi like a non-fashioned girl to this extent? She wanted to check if it was true. Didn't she know about MEN? They would be good until they get a CHANCE. No man would be good if they got a chance to relish life.

Sheetal came out of the kitchen and saw Aarav drawing something, sitting in the living room... of course, as per her instruction. Raizadas were there. She noticed no one gave heed to Aarav. That disappointed Sheetal. She thought Raizadas would pamper Aarav as he looked like Arnav but it didn't happen. She had to find some other way to get their attention. She thought.

Sheetal came and sat with them. She smiled at Aarav.

"Mom, when will you get my school admission?"

"Will do it tomorrow" Sheetal said expecting Raizadas to inquire about the school but they continued their work.

Sheetal felt weird. Didn't they greet her well the previous day? What happened to them today? Why didn't they ask her anything at least for a courtesy?

"Aarav let's go to the room" Sheetal stood up.

"I will be sitting here. It's boring to be in the room" Aarav said.

Sheetal sighed and went to the guest room. She stopped and thought something. She headed to Arnav's room and saw him typing something on his laptop. She knocked on the door. Arnav raised his head and frowned to see her standing at his doorstep.

"May I come in?"

Arnav stood up and advanced her not letting her enter his room.

"Do you want anything?"

"Just come to see you"

"Tell me..."

"Were not our college days amazing?"

Arnav nodded.

"I'm so glad to see you settled down in life well..."

Cutting her,

"What about your husband? Where is he?"

Sheetal was stuck.

"I don't want to talk about him, Arnav. It will create problems..." She smiled.

Arnav frowned. What did she mean?

"Why? What problem are you talking about?"

"Leave it, Arnav. I don't want to talk about it"

Arnav shrank his eyes as he had a doubt.

"By the way, won't you let me in?" she asked.

Arnav moved a step and let her in. She entered in, running her eyes in the room.

"I thought you changed a lot... but you have not changed a bit. Your interests are as same as our college days. Your room's colors say that"

Arnav was silent.

"You know what made me think you changed a lot?"

Arnav knew what made her think so. KHUSHI...!

"When I saw your wife, I was shocked. I can't still believe she is your wife"

"I don't care who believe it. She is my wife... I will declare it proudly"

"I mean, there are a lot of difference between you two"

"No difference between us. You just saw what I showed but Khushi brought the REAL me out. That's what her special is"

Sheetal smiled awkwardly. It was clear that Arnav was so firm and confident in his relationship with Khushi.

That was when she heard Khushi's anklet sound. of course, Arnav also heard it.

"Ok, Arnav, I'm leaving" She said.

Arnav nodded. As he didn't expect, Sheetal stumbled with the floor mat and fell on Arnav. Khushi who just entered the room saw that. Sheetal smirked at her expression but as she didn't expect, Arnav pushed her in the same speed. Sheetal fell on the floor and looked at him shockingly.

To be continued...