Part 43 Fathers

Bhashyam called Dr. Avinash. He attended the call with a smile. Bhashyam's contribution to Arshi's love was valuable. He wanted to thank Bhashyam.

"Hello, Mr. Bhashyam... thank you so much for being a story creator" Dr. Avinash smiled.

"What story I created, Doctor? Whatever I told you is not a story but true" he said panicking.

"No no... I didn't mean it... you played a main role in Arnav and Khushi's story. That's what I want to say"

"But, there is an unknown turning point in their story"

"What do you mean?"

"I got an anonymous call a few minutes ago. He asked me to fire Arnav from the job. He offered me fifty lakhs to do that"

Avinash became thoughtful.

"He threatened me when I denied"

"Did you get any clues from the call?"

"No doctor... I never heard the voice and I'm sure he spoke changing his voice"

"send me his number"

"Sure doctor"

"As of now, don't tell Arnav about it... he is enjoying the happiest phase of his life with Khushi"

"Happiest days?"

"Yeah, their wedding is going to befixed soon"

"Wow, that's so great. Are their parents agreed to the wedding?"

"Yeah... they did..."

"This is indeed good news"

"Yes, let them enjoy it to the fullest without fear this time"

"OK, doctor. I won't say anything to Arnav"

"By the way, what if your company gets affected by your denial?"

"No way, Doctor. Our company is in an inevitable position in the programming field. We have a goodwill. Some random stupid can't stop our growth. If he is powerful enough to do that, he won't do that hiding like a coward but daringly"

"That's nice to hear"

"I will take care of it, doctor. I just want to alert you because someone is working against Arnav"

"Thank you, for your cooperation Mr. Bhashyam..."

"I'm so glad to be a part of an EPIC love story" Bhashyam smiled.

"You are so sweet"

"Thank you, sir" Bhashyam disconnected the call with a smile.

Avinash drowned in a deep thought. He didn't know whether the threat was about their love story or it was purely business. He could not connect the dots.

GH

Shashi Gupta noticed a kind of nervousness on Khushi's face. She didn't mingle with their conversation even though the conversation was about her wedding. She felt to talk to Arnav and came to her room. Taking her mobile, she was supposed to dial Arnav's number, but she stopped, seeing Shashi entering her room.

"Are you alright?"

She smiled.

"What happened, Beta?"

Khushi smiled at him wearily.

"Khushi...you can tell me"

"He is back, Babuji"

"Who?"

"Pradeep"

"Who is Pradeep?"

"The one who burnt us"

Shashi was shocked. He looked at her with the same shock. Khushi nodded yes.

"I saw him this evening"

"Did Arnav know that?"

"He was with me"

"Did he recognize you?"

"We hid... he didn't see us but I'm scared. He will soon find us. He would be here with the intention"

"Khushi, Arnav is with you... your father is with you. Then why are you worrying? We are going to fix your wedding soon. No one will do anything, Beta. Relax"

Khushi was silent. Shashi understood she was in a deep commotion. He could understand her condition. He had been cautious about her from the time Dr. Avinash narrated her condition. He didn't want to ignore any of her gestures. If she was restless, he wanted to do something to wipe it off.

RM

"Dad, I want to talk to you about my wedding," Arnav said.

Arvind and Ratna glanced at each other.

"Ratna, did we ever talk to our parents about our wedding?"

Ratna nodded no teasingly.

"See, this generation guys... how daringly, gutfully, without hesitation they spoke..." he laughed.

"Dad, jokes apart..."

Arvind's facial expression changed as Arnav looked serious.

"Anything serious, Chotte?"

"Yes, Dad... our previous birth villain Pradeep is in Delhi"

"Whaaaat?" came from both.

"Yes, I and Khushi saw him this evening. Not only that, but he also identified us"

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, Dad. He inquired about me from Tiwari"

There was a shock on their faces.

"I'm sure he was up to something. Khushi is scared about him. though I consoled her I'm not sure she is not alright. She can't be... until our wedding takes place"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Fix our wedding as much as possible. It can be a simple wedding. No need to be grand"

"What about Khushi's parents? They should also be ready for the wedding right?"

"I will talk to Shashi uncle. I hope he will understand"

"Ok, I will also talk to him if needed"

"Thank you, Dad" Arnav smiled.

"Hello, Mr. Bhai... if you want your wedding to happen soon, you should PAY in double" Aparna demanded.

"Pay? To whom? Why?"

"To me, of course... I should go wedding shopping, buy clothes, buy matching accessories, invite friends, do facial, how much work is to done... don't I need money?"

"Ok... but why in double?"

"Urgent ORDERS rates double payment. Don't you know?"

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"See, how she is using the opportunity..." he said.

"This is the time I can earn from you. Who knows, after the wedding you may not even have time to look at me"

Arnav smiled.

"What do you want?"

"Money..."

"Get it from Dad..." he walked to his room.

Ratna saw Arvind's stunned face and laughed.

"These brother and sister are so mean," Said Arvind making Ratna laugh more.

Arnav was pacing in his room not feeling to sleep. He waited for Khushi's call. He wanted to know whether she was alright.As he expected, Khushi called him. He attended the call in the first ring.

"Khushi... are you alright?"

"I'm alright"

"Have you had dinner?"

"Yes..."

"Really?"

"Yes, I had"

"Good. I waited for your call"

"Amma and Babujiwere talking about our wedding. I was with them"

"Oh... what did they talk?"

"About fixing date, booking hall, buying wedding clothes and jewels, etc., etc.,"

"I don't think we will get time to do such things"

"What do you mean?"

"I asked my father to fix our wedding as soon as possible"

"I told him about Pradeep"

"But why, Khushi?"

"He found me upset. So, I had no choice but to tell him about Pradeep"

"What did he say?"

"He too consoled me"

"See, our parents are with us which we didn't get last time. Then why are you bothering?"

"I don't bother. I feel much better after your supportive advice"

"That's nice to hear"

That was when Arnav got a second call. He pulled his phone from his ear, hearing BEEP. He widened his eyes as it was Shashi's call.

"Khushi, your father is calling. I will catch you later"

"Ok..."

Khushi disconnected the call and came out to find out why Shashi called Arnav.

Arnav attended the call.

"Uncle...?"

"Arnav, sorry to disturb you at this hour"

"That's not a problem uncle"

"Could you send me your father's number?"

"Oh... sure"

"I want to talk to him"

"I will send you uncle"

"Thank you, Arnav. Good night"

"Good night, uncle"

Disconnecting the call, Arnav sent Arvind's number to Shashi. At the same time, he heard a knock on his door. Arnav opened the door and saw Arvind standing.

"Dad... is everything alright?"

"Yeah... I came to get your father-in-law's number"

"Why Dad?"

"I want to talk to him. Apart from your wedding, I think I should have an understanding with him. So that, it will be easy to proceed further"

Arnav nodded ok and sent him Shashi's number smiling. He didn't know who was going to call first. Arvind saved the number as Chotte's FIL. The next second he got a call from Chotte's FIL which surprised him. he showed his mobile screen to Arnav.

"Just now he got your number" Arnav chuckled.

"Is it?"

Arvind attended the call.

"Namaste Shashiji" he turned the speaker on.

Shashi was surprised.

"Do you have my number?"

"Just now I got it from Arnav as I would like to talk to you"

"I too want to talk to you. That's why I got your number"

"Tell me, Shashiji"

"Arnav said you know their story"

"Yeah, we know..."

"As a father, I could not see my daughter's sufferings. I feel so helpless being unable to end her struggle. I hope you understand"

"As a father, I can understand your condition because I too have a daughter. Tell me, Shashiji, what do you want me to do?"

"We would be happy if this wedding happened soon. I'm ready to GIVE anything you ask for..."

Cutting him,

"We don't want anything but your daughter..." Arvind said not looking at Arnav who smiled at him.

"No, Arvindji..."

Again getting him,

"My son is getting good pay. He is capable of giving a good life to his wife. More than that, our children love each other. We should not talk about anything other than them"

"My daughter is so lucky to have such a family. I have seen many people using the situation in their favor but you are so great!"

"We are coming to GH on Sunday. We will do their engagement and in a week, we will get them married. After that, we can arrange for a grand reception"

"Thank you, Arvindji. This is what exactly I wanted to request from you"

"That's so great... we started synchronizing it seems..."

"Yes, you made me relieved. I will sleep with a light heart full of satisfaction"

"Good night, Shashiji"

"Good night"

Arvind disconnected the call and looked at Arnav. In no time, he hugged Arvind.

"Love you, Dad... you are the best" he shouted in happiness.

"Love you too my dear son. Get ready for the wedding"

"I didn't expect you would handle this issue so coolly. Thanks Dad..."

"Will you wait one week or we should fix it even before that?"

Arnav laughed.

"Go and tell Khushi. She will be happy"

Arnav nodded yes. At the same instant, he got a call on his mobile. Arnav's facial expression said, whose call it was.

"Ok, carry on" Arvind walked to his room smilingly.

Arnav attended Khushi's call.

To be continued...