Part19

Khushi had been thinking about FIRST DAY. What she would do if she had no work to do? She jerked hearing a knock on the door. She looked out through the magic hole and shocked seeing Arnav. Does he really come for FIRST DAY? She became panic. Looking here and there, she gulped. Arnav knocked again... Biting her nail, she closed her eyes in nervousness. As he didn't get a response, Arnav removed the spare key from the pocket and inserted it in the door. Taking back steps, Khushi moved backward. She rushed to the washroom and locked the door.

Arnav searched for Khushi in the kitchen. Not finding her there, he came to Pooja's room. He pushed the bathroom door and it was locked from inside. He knocked the washroom door.

Arnav: Khushi....

Khushi squeezed her hands, gulping.

Arnav: Khushi... come out... it's urgent...

Khushi: Urgent? Hey Devi ma... What can I do?

Arnav: Khushi...

Khushi: Jee ACP sir....

Arnav: Khushi you have no idea, how many work I had left to come here...

Khushi widened her eyes...

Khushi: Why ACP sir?

Arnav: Khushi don't question me... what are you doing?

Khushi: I'm taking a bath.

Arnav: But you have already took bath in the morning...?

Khushi: Ohh... S.... Sauce... sauce had fallen on me...

Arnav: Ok come fast... I have to go to the office...

Khushi: ...go to office?

Arnav: I have no time...

Khushi: Means, he is not here for FIRST DAY....?

Wearing a robe, she came out to make him believe that she had taken a bath.

Arnav clutched her hand and dragged her to the bed. He made her sit on it. Khushi looked at him bewildering.

Arnav: Khushi listen to me... that day, you went to Kalpana's house with a knife to wound her. As you heard a footstep sound, you hid behind the curtain, thinking that it was her husband. Kalpana asked someone "who are you?" so you peeped from the curtain. Right?

Khushi nodded yes.

Arnav: Then?

Khushi: I saw the killer spared something on her face. Kalpana fell down getting unconscious. Sprinkling the petrol on her, he burnt Kalpana alive. I dropped the knife in fear. The sound dragged the killer's attention. I came running from there...

Arnav: Ok...

Khushi: What happened ACP sir?

Arnav: I just wanted your statement again to get cleared.

Khushi: ohh...

Arnav: I'm leaving...

Khushi nodded ok.

Arnav: I may be late today... be careful.

Khushi nodded ok...

Arnav was thinking about the knife. As per Khushi's statement, she didn't take the fallen knife. But there is no information about the knife in the record. Means, definitely the killer would have taken it with him. What's his intention? What could he do with the knife? Arnav's tension rose erotically. He has to do something to save Khushi... without her knowledge. He dialed Arun Prince. But he didn't attend the call. Arnav sighed... maybe, he is busy. Arnav reached the office. At the same time, Arun Prince called him.

Prince: Hi, tell me.

Arnav: Have you got any message or call from the given numbers?

Prince: No... I wonder none is calling nor messaging. Why dude?

Arnav: Fear...

Prince: Ohh...

Arnav: The killer sent a message to everyone that they are in his list, it seems.

Prince(chuckling): Interesting...

Arnav: Not totally... we have to trap him... tell me the possibilities...

Prince: Take your high officials' help and deal it with ISRO... they will easily find him if he is using a satellite phone.

Arnav: mmm...

Prince: I will also tracking all the numbers given by you. I will try to locate him if possible.

Arnav: Thank you...

He disconnected the call. When he came to the office, Khushi called him.

Arnav: Haan Khushi...

Khushi: ACP sir, Pooja's health drink got over... shall I go to the shop with Pooja in the evening?

Arnav: Why didn't you say when I came home?

Khushi(in mind): I was not in the sense of thinking anything.

Arnav: Are you there?

Khushi: It's because you talked about the case and I forgot about it.

Arnav: I will take you to the shop. Ok?

Khushi: You said you will be late today?

Arnav: yeah... but this is also important...

Khushi: Ok sir.

She disconnected the call. Arnav looked at the phone. Why she is calling him sir? Seriously?

In the evening

As Arnav said, he took Khushi and Pooja to the shop to buy Pooja's health drink. Arnav paid the bill, taking the health drink. Khushi saw a familiar face in the shop and smiled. It was NK.

NK: Khushiji...

Khushi(smiling): Hi...

NK: How are you Khushiji?

Khushi: yeah... I'm fine...

NK(seeing her empty hands): Shall I help you collect your required things?

Khushi: No thanks... he is here...

She showed her hand towards Arnav.

NK(surprisingly): Ohh... you came with AC sir?

Khushi nodded yes.

NK: Yeah... after all, he helped you to get the certificates.

Khushi: I can't get you.

NK: He is the one who asked me to help you when you came to the Taluk office.

Khushi: Him?

NK: Yeah...

Giving a chocolate to pooja, Arnav saw NK talking with Khushi. He came to them with Pooja.

NK: Sir, doesn't Khushiji know about your recommendation?

Arnav nodded NO.

NK: Can I ask you something?

Arnav somehow understood, NK is going to break an egg.

NK: You said she is not your girlfriend when I asked... but now, you are together....

Khushi looked at him surprisingly like, "When did it happen?"

Arnav: Yeah... she is not my girlfriend but wife.

NK(shocked): Whaat? Wife? Really?

Arnav: Why? What's there to be shocked?

NK(stammering): I know you are a bachelor. That's why...

Khushi: We got married yesterday...

NK: Just yesterday? But why didn't you announce your wedding?

Arnav: We will... soon...

NK: By the way, congratulations sir...

Arnav: Thank you... we have to go... bye.

NK: See you, sir...

Arnav and Khushi left the shop with Pooja. NK was looking at them thoughtfully.

To be continued...