Part 14 Unbelievable...

Arnav was standing near a window, looking outside. When he was in jail, he never got mingled with anyone. How could he be, when all of them were criminals? He always prefers a good person as his companion. Unfortunately, he didn't get one. The only friend he got in jail was Jamal Akhtar. He was an inspector who knew everything about Arnav and his background. He helped Arnav to be away from the others. Because of him, Arnav had been peaceful in jail.

Now also he is alone even though everyone is around him. Thinking that a good companion is not written in his destiny. He doesn't want to get married doesn't mean he doesn't like Khushi. He liked her understanding nature... he liked her skill... he liked her charms... He thought he will get enough time and she will be waiting for him as she is Shashi's daughter... but nope... Maybe, her mother and brother would have forced her into the marriage... they are not wrong though... how would they let her wait for a man like him...

Taking his car key, Arnav left the office as he was not interested in work.

Ratna was working in the kitchen. That's when the landline started ringing. HP rushed to the phone and brought the receiver to Ratna. Taking it from him, Ratna spoke.

"Hello..."

"Ratnaji... don't do the same mistake again... do you know anything about the girl Khushi? Do you know what she had done in her college days...? Don't spoil Arnav's life again..."

"I know about her..."

"You know nothing..."

"We have already detected about her thoroughly... so stop manipulating me..." She disconnected the call irritatingly.

Who is that? Why does she want to stop this marriage? Why does he blame Khushi? Ratna became confused as she never heard the voice again.

Evening

Ratna entered the temple, looking here and there for Khushi. She didn't find her in the temple. She jerked as she felt a touch on her shoulder. Turning her head, she saw her behind and smiled seeing Khushi.

"Namaste, Aunty..."

"How are you beta...?"

"I'm fine aunty... why did you say you are not fine?"

"It's because of Chotte... ( she paused for a while) We call Arnav Chotte..."

"I know aunty... Babuji told me..."

Ratna smiled at her.

"Let's do worship and then we will talk..." Ratna said and Khushi nodded ok.

They finished worshiping and sat on the floor.

"Tell me beta, why did you call me?"

"I got a call from an anonymous number yesterday..."

"ohh..." Ratna said thoughtfully.

"They told me something about your Chotte and his past life..."

Ratna shrank her eyes.

"They asked me not to get married to him because he was the one who had an extramarital affair..."

"Lie... it's a pure lie..." Ratna said hurriedly.

Khushi nodded yes.

"Please don't believe them beta..."

"Aunty, relax... I just want to tell you that someone is trying to stop this marriage..." Khushi didn't say she had found the caller. She wants Ratna to find the caller and she is none other than Sheetal.

Ratna gulped down. She remembered the call she attended in the morning.

"Aunty... please try to recognize the voice of the caller"

Ratna thought the same woman would have called Khushi also. But, when Khushi played the recording, Ratna got angry because she recognized the voice.

"This is not true, beta... if Chotte was wrong, why would he go to jail? You know, he had many ways to come out of the case? If he is a wrongdoer then why doesn't want to he get married?"

Khushi felt bad for Ranta... she understood that a mother was struggling to prove her son...

"Aunty, you don't panic. I didn't believe her...I want you to know what's happening around us."

"Thank you beta..."

"You no need to thank me, aunty. I have been hearing your family story for years... I know you..."

Ratna was speechless. She didn't expect Khushi would be an understanding girl to this extent because anyone in her place would never like to take risks... Something stroke in her mind. Is that right to get her married to a guy who is not at all interested in marriage? What if Arnav doesn't accept her? What if he doesn't make her happy?

Ratna clutched her hands.

"Beta, I'm glad to have you as my bahu... at the same time, I think I'm doing wrong..."

"Why are you thinking so?"

"Seeing you so understanding, I'm scared that how your family life would be... Chotte has not told his acceptance of the marriage yet. I think I'm taking a risk in your matter... I had been selfish... you too have to be happy, beta. Because of my son's happiness, I don't want to ruin your life. You get married to the one who asked for your hand. Chotte asked me once; will you give her hand to a murderer, if she is your daughter? He is right... I won't dare give my daughter's hand to a murderer... you are also like my daughter, beta..."

Khushi wondered... a few minutes ago, she tried hard to prove her son right. What happened to her all of a sudden?

"I heard someone came to ask for your hand for the marriage..."

"It's over aunty... Amma handled them..."

"It's because of you, right?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Beta, I can't give you assurance about Chotte's stand. He is still rigid..."

"Are you going to let him be alone?"

Ratna's eyes tear up.

"Babuji told me about you a lot. I thought I'm lucky to have you as my mother-in-law... but now, after meeting you, I think not only me but no one will get a mother-in-law like you..."

"But, I'm not lucky to have you as my bahu..." Ratna's throat choked.

"Will you accept me as your bahu if your son is ready to marry me?"

Ratna looked at her confusingly. Arnav and marrying Khushi? Will it happen?"

"How...? How will he?"

"Let us check..."

"Check?"

"Tell him that he has to marry me..."

"What if I say so...?

"He will stop the marriage if he doesn't want..."

"He will stop..."

"Let's see..."

Ratna sighed.

"I think we are taking a risk..."

"If he stops the marriage, I will get married to the one who asked my hand..."

Ratna nodded ok.

"Aunty, one more thing..."

Ratna nodded her head like, tell me.

"The caller told me that his wife calls him ARNAVJI... is it?"

Ratna nodded yes gulping down.

"Will you take me wrong if I call him by his name, without JI?"

Ratna looked at her surprisingly.

"I don't want him to remember HER anymore... he may remember her if I call him ARNAVJI..."

Ratna couldn't hold her tears. Arnav would be very lucky if he has this girl in his life. Don't know what that idiot is going to do.

"Let's see, if he gives you a chance to call him..." she said sadly.

"It's all destined... nothing in our hands..."

"Shall we go?" Ratna asked.

Khushi nodded ok.

"Bye...Amma..."

Ratna looked at her stunningly.

"You deserved to call Amma because you are thinking about my life over your son..." Khushi smiled.

In no time, Ratna hugged her and spilled tears on her shoulder. Khushi circled her shoulders emotionally. Both of them want to get one another in their life... but the one who had the potential is silent.

RM

Ratna was sitting in the living room all sad. Arnav, who entered, slowed down his steps, seeing her face. No need to say he understood the reason.

"Mom... are you alright?" he asked her in a feeble tone.

"What if I'm not alright?"

Her reply made him clear that she is fed up because of Khushi.

"Mom... why are you angry with me?"

"I'm not angry with you... I'm angry with myself..." her eyes tear up.

Arnav understood that something would have happened in the temple. It was visible in Ratna's action that Khushi slipped from her hand.

"Mom, what happened?" he asked nervously.

"What will you do if I say what happened?"

"Mom, tell me the matter..." He wanted to know the matter.

Ratna cupped his face.

"Why not you marry Khushi?"

Arnav frowned. Marry Khushi? But how? Hasn't her marriage got fixed?

"Khushi? Hasn't her marriage fixed with someone?"

"No... she denied marrying him... do you know why?"

Arnav didn't answer but looked at her bewildered.

"It's because she wants to keep her father's words..."

Arnav was shocked. Did she deny it? Is it true? Is not she going to marry someone? Arnav was looking at her unbelievably.

"What should I tell her?"

Arnav gulped down dumbfounded. Ratna composed herself.

"I'm going to arrange for your marriage... You should marry her for me... won't you do that for me?" She asked sternly.

Arnav gulped hard. He headed to his room and said nothing.

"Chotte, I'm going to fix your marriage... very soon... you will thank me for this one day... mark my words..." she shouted from behind.

But, Arnav's mind was thinking about meeting Khushi. He has to talk to her for one time. He has to clear his stance before the MARRIAGE...

To be continued...

The next chapter is available on Inkitt

Condition...

When Khushi returned from the temple, her phone started ringing. Khushi smirked, seeing the same number...Sheetal's number...

Coming to her room, she clocked the door. Sitting on the bed relaxingly, she attended the call.

"Is this Khushi?"

"Yesssss..."