Part 39

It was lunch time. Garima and Lavanya arranged everything on the table. Khushi was going to serve Arnav when Lavanya said" Khushi. You sit. I will serve jijaji"

The trio looked at her shocked for the word jijaji.

"Why are you looking at her like that ? Arnav beta is jijaji only naa for Lavanya"said Garima. The trio din't say anything. Khushi sat beside Arnav.

"Arnav beta. I made all your favourite dishes"said Garima. Arnav just Faked a smile to her.

Lavanya started to serve Arnav. As it is her first time, also she doesn't know what is Arnav's taste. So she served him curry more than parathas.

Arnav was more confused."Oh God. She even doesn't know how to serve also"thought Arnav and looked at Khushi. Khushi understood his situation and sighed helplessly. Atlast Lavanya brought a bowl.

"ASR. This is kheer made by me"said Lavanya.

"Kheer!!!!"said Arnav with a little frightening tone.

"Ha beta. You know Lavanya made the kheer especially for you. It is her first time she is cooking for someone with lots of love. When Shashiji said you like the kheer most, Lavanya learnt it and made for you."said Garima proudly.

Arnav smiled weakly to her thinking about the taste of kheer and looked at Lavanya who is now blushing lightly.

Khushi and Shashi raised their eyebrow looking at each other.

Arnav kept a spoon of kheer in his mouth. His face expression changed into a dangerous one. Seeing his face, Khushi estimated how the kheer would be.

Arnav said" Enough" with that one spoon.

"What !!!!!!! Enough. ASR, you had only one spoon. I made it for you"said Lavanya.

"Ha Arnav beta. Have it naa"said Garima.

"No aunty. Actually I won't eat anyone's hand made kheer other than my Di. As you said Lavanya made it with a lots of love, I ate it not wanting to hurt her"said Arnav nicely.

Garima and Lavanya felt very happy while Shashi and Khushi rolled off their eyes.

After the lunch, Khushi took Arnav to her room. It was a small room with a single cot in the middle. But the room is very neat. Stars were tied at the top of bed. There is a table at the corner where devimayya idol is kept.

"How is my room ?'asked Khushi.

"Very nice"said Arnav.

"You take rest Arnavji"said Khushi.

"No Khushi. I have some work"said Arnav and sat down with his laptop.

"Arnavji. I need to ask you something"said Khushi hesitatingly.

" Say Khushi"said Arnav.

" There is my friends house nearby. If you give permission I will go and meet her"said Khushi.

"What is there to ask in this ? You go and meet your friend."said Arnav.

" Ok. Thank you. I will come soon"said Khushi and went from there. Arnav smiled looking in her direction.

After sometime, Shashi entered the Arnav's room. Seeing him, Arnav stood up.

"Can I come in ?"Asked Shashi.

"Ha uncle. Plz do you need anything ?"asked Arnav.

"I want to talk with you. Are you busy ?"asked shahsi.

"No uncle. Just some office work"said Arnav closing his laptop.

"I want to talk with you about Khushi"said Shahsi.

Arnav nodded his head confusingly thinking what is about Khushi.

"Arnav. Khushi really brought happiness in our lives, that is why I named her as Khushi. But I was wrong, until now her whole life is filled with sadness. When she was two years old, her mother died in an accident. I was totally devastated but Khushi is only my solace. I slowly forgot my sorrow seeing her. I became both his mother and father. But the relatives forced me for marriage stating that a girl needs a mother at a stage. I too thought it is true and agreed for marrying Garima thinking that she will lookafter my Khushi soo well. That is the biggest mistake of my life. Now I can't do anything other than cursing myself.

I was married to Garima. At first she was good. I thought that she is a good mother. After two years Lavanya was born. We were happy family. Garima used to take care of Khushi infront of me very well. When I was not in the house, she make her life hell. I din't used to get time to involve in family matters I would always be busy with my office work and tours

One day one of my nieghbour said to me about Grima's behavior towards Khushi. At first I din't believe him.

One day when I came back from the tour a day earlier. I was really shocked to see Khushi cleaning floor while Garima is sitting relaxly on the chair. I got angry and when I confronted her, she spitted her anger on Khushi that she din't like her.

Later I came to know she is making Khushi do all the work in the house. she would punish severely her for small mistakes. She made Lavanya too like her.

In the school, Khushi is always a good student and stood first in the school. Her teachers used to praise her due to her sharpness. This envied them more. I could do nothing other than to regret. They both daily make her life hell by throwing tantrums. But Khushi is Khushi, she never used to say a word against them and bear all their tortures with a smile. But I saw Khushi many nights crying. Lavanya always taunts her as Khushi is more beautiful than her.

Bearing all these tantrums , she some how completed her fashion designing course.

When your alliance came, Garima first wanted you to marry Lavanya. But knowing your mental status she backstepped and forced Khushi for marriage. But now as you became normal, they wanted to trap you and again make Khushi's life hell. That is why Lavanya joined as your secretary."completed Shashi with tears. He looked at Arnav who also have tears in his eyes.

Until now Arnav thought that maybe only Lavanya din't like Khushi. He thought Garima is a good person. That is why he behaved politely with Lavanya at Lunch seeing Garima's face. They are trying to trap ASR which is not possible even in their dream.

Shashi looked at Arnav who is lost in his thoughts.

"Arnav"called Shashi.

Arnav looked at him coming out of his trance.

"Arnav. Will you keep my Khushi happy ?"asked Shashi.

Arnav took Shashi's hands into his and said" Don't worry Uncle. I will give Khushi every happiness that she deserves. Like her name I will always try to make her happy"

Shashi nodded his head happily and said" But she is a little bit .........." Cutoff by Arnav " Crazy. I know"

Shashi went away from there.

After sometime, Arnav is talking on the phone with his Di when the door opened.

He thought Khushi and said turning" Khushi. Di wants to talk with you" but saw Lavanya there.

"Di. I will talk with you later"said Arnav and disconnected the call.

"ASR. Why did you disconnect the call ? I too would have talked with Di naa."asked Lavanya.

"No need for that."said Arnav with a stern face.

Lavanya just faked a smile.

"Why did you came here ?"asked Arnav.

"I just came to see whether you are comfortable or not in this small room. You know ASR my room is bigger than this. Even there is AC in my room"said Lavanya.

"ASR. Will you move into my room ? I will adjust with Khushi here" said Lavanya.

"No. I am fine here" said Arnav.

"But this room is small and it will be difficult for you" said Lavanya.

Arnav is checking his phone not paying interest to her nonsense.

Lavanya is disappointed seeing him not responding and again to gain his attention said "ASR. Do you need anything ?"

"Yes."said Arnav.

"What!!!!!!!"asked Lavanya excitedly.

"Peace of mind"said Arnav looking at her.

Lavanya's smile faded away hearing this and went from there silently fuming for the direct insult thrown on her face.

Thanks to those who have voted and commented on previous update.