Part 21 Help...

At the same time, when Khushi came to AR, Arvind and Ratna went to Raveena's house with Manorama and Manohar. Raveena welcomed them.

*Mom... what a surprise...?* She hugged Manorama.

*When did you come?*

*Yesterday...* Manorama said.

*Thank God, you thought to meet me...*

*Actually, we came to meet your mother-in-law... I called Damadji today morning and he said he is out of the station...* Arvind said taking a seat.

Raveena frowned.

*Anything, important?*

*Yes...we came to talk about Chotte's wedding...* Ratna said.

Raveena's facial expression changed.

*Mom... didn't I say, don't think about asking my sister-in-law's hand for Chotte...?* she said irritatingly.

At the same time, Raveena's mother-in-law, Ganga came out of the room.

*God, you... please come... how you are doing?* Ganga asked gladly.

*By God's grace, we are fine...*

*Manoramaji... when did you come?*

*Just yesterday...*

*Ravi, go and bring something for them...* Ganga said.

*That's ok... we have to go...* Arvind said.

*what is so urgent?*

*Yeah, we have a lot of work...* Arvind said.

*Anything... shall I know?* Ganga asked.

Raveena was suffocating... she doesn't want them to say what she is assuming. Before she said anything,

*We are here to invite you to Chotte's marriage.*

Ganga looked at Raveena surprisingly. Arnav's marriage has been fixed and she is unaware of it...

*You mean, Arnav's marriage?* Ganga asked.

*Jee...* Ratna said.

*That's great...* Ganga said unbelievably.

*The day after tomorrow is ROKA... and the rituals are starting after that... we will be happy with your presence...*

*Sure...how would we not get participated...? After all, he is Ravi's brother...* Ganga said looking at Raveena.

Raveena was choking how could her parents be so avoidance towards her?

*Why didn't you tell me about the proposal before? Is this the way to invite me?* Raveena asked directly.

*I will bring you something...* Ganga went to the kitchen, giving them space...

*It just confirmed two days ago...* Ratna said.

*You didn't tell me two days ago but now... after fixing the date...*

*Ravi... being a sister of Arnav bituwa, you should be happy about his decision...* Manorama said.

*How did he agree to the marriage?*

*We convinced him...* Ratna said.

*By the way, who is the bride? Hope, at least this time, you would have found a well-cultured girl...*

Cutting her,

*Shashi's daughter, Khushi...* Arvind said.

*Whaaaaat! Don't you get a family with a good status?*

*They are not less...* Ratna said.

*But, not up to our status...*

*We need a girl who understands Arnav bituwa's past...* Manorama said.

*Did she understand...? How do you know?*

*You will also get to know if you see Khushi...* Ratna said.

*Don't be so excited, Mom... You danced with Yasodha too... what happened...?*

*This is not a time to talk about that... Ravi beta...* Manohar said.

*I don't know how you people easily believe a girl again... she must be agreed to get married Chotte, only for money... mark my words...*

Arvind stood wrathfully.

*stop rubbish... you don't want us to ask your sister-in-law's hand for Chotte... then why did you talk about his marriage now?*

*What does that mean, Dad? Shouldn't I care about my brother?*

*He doesn't need THIS kind of care... It's a month since he came from jail... you came only one day to see him... did you come to meet him again? You have no right to talk about him and his bride...*

*Is it wrong, to tell the truth?*

*You do not need to tell the truth and we didn't invite you to the marriage, to tell the truth. Come to the marriage if you can keep your mouth shut...* he said gritting his teeth.

Raveena stood shockingly.

*Arvindji... calm down...* Ratna consoled him.

Ganga came with a coffee tray. She extended it to Arvind.

*No thanks... we are leaving...*

Without waiting there, Arvind left the place which Raveena didn't expect. The trio had the coffee, don't want to disappoint Ganga.

*We will be waiting for your arrival...* Ratna invited Ganga.

*Sure...*

*We are leaving...* Ratna said and the trio left the house. Arvind was waiting for them in the car.

*Don't know what kind of daughter she is...* he said irritatingly.

Ratna looked at him silently.

*If it comes to Chotte, I won't mind throwing her out of the house...*

Ratna didn't say anything as Arvind was upset with Raveena. He will be alright after a while...she believed.

*Oh God... I have kept the key on the side table* Arvind punched the steering wheel.

*Wait... I will bring it* Ratna went inside the house again.

In the meanwhile

Raveena's sister-in-law Seema came out of her room.

*Did they ask my hand for Arnav?* She asked Raveena.

It seems she has heard their talks. Raveena nodded yes as there is no use in hiding.

*Why didn't you say that to me?* Ganga asked her.

Raveena was silent.

*Of course, I liked him at first... That doesn't mean I will be the same for my lifetime. Did they think I will be waiting for a murderer for four years? Bullshit...* she went to her room.

Ratna who came to take the key stood, hearing their talks. She was not ready to answer them in words. Let Arnav get married to Khushi... then these people will get their answer.

Ratna went in. Ganga and Raveena looked at her bewildered. Without saying anything, she came out, taking the key. Ganga understood that she heard their talks.

GH

Khushi was thinking about how to talk the matter to Aman. But what if Aman says that to Arnav? What will he do? He may get angry as well as upset. She doesn't want to distraught him. She was hesitating to talk to Aman as she doesn't know about Aman. She slept without getting a solution.

The next morning

Khushi saw Shashi having tea.

*Good morning Babuji...*

*Good morning Beta...*

*Where is mom?*

*Taking bath...*

He called the servant.

*Ramu...*

*Jee...*

*Bring tea for Khushi...*

*Jee...* Ramu went to the kitchen again.

*Babuji... I want to ask you something...*

*About...?*

*Arnavji...*

Shashi stopped sipping the tea and nodded yes.

*Doesn't he have any friends or close ones?*

*Everyone is close to him beta... do you know how cheerful he was...? It's he who is keeping his distance from everyone... But, his people are not ready to leave him easily... they are trying their best to bring the old Arnav... Arvind, Ratnaji, and especially, Aman... the great friend no one can get...*

*Really?*

*Yeah, he will do anything for Arnav's happiness...*

*Ohh...*

*He took all the responsibility for AR and also Arnav's parents, on behalf of Arnav when he was in jail even though Arnav didn't say him to take care of his parents. Their bond is something... Until Aman is with Arnav, he will be alright.*

Khushi smiled with satisfaction. She got what she wanted. So, Aman will sort out the problem.

AR

Arnav was standing near the window and was looking out. Aman slowly came to him and closed his eyes. Arnav shrugged his hands off.

*What the hell...*

*You have to get used to it, ASR... your wife will do this to you...*

Arnav controlled his smile and kept his face firm.

*No matter how hard you try to control yourself, Khushi will bring you out of the shell soon... mark my words... by the way, what were you thinking?*

*Nothing...*

*Lie... I know you are thinking about Khushi*

Arnav was about to deny but he stopped as Aman's mobile rang. He frowned, seeing a new number. He attended the call.

*Who is this?*

*Khushi...*

*Khushiiii....* he shouted in excitement.

Arnav looked at him wondering. Aman intentionally turned on the speaker, Arnav to here.

*Hi, Khushi...*

*I need your help...*

Aman looked at Arnav who was listening to her talks.

*You know one thing, your would-be husband is more efficient than me...*

*I don't want Arnavji to know about it...*

Aman was struck, he was about to turn the speaker off, Arnav snatched the phone from his hand and warned Aman through his eyes.

*Anything for you...* Aman gulped hard. Don't know what she is going to ask for. She should not ask anything about Arnav. He prayed inwardly.

*please you too don't tell Arnavji about it*

*Tell me Khushi...*

*A few days ago, I got a call from an unknown number...*

*Ohh...*

*It was from a woman...*

*What she said?*

*She said something about Arnavji and tried to make me back off from the marriage. (Arnav frowned) the woman is Sheetal... I found it through TRUE CALLER. (Arnav tightened his jaws) I thought it was over... but she called my Amma's number yesterday. Fortunately, I attend the call and managed her, acting like my Amma. I'm scared that she may do something to stop the marriage.*

Arnav closed the phone,

*Ask her what Sheetal said about me...*

Aman nodded yes.

*Khushi, what Sheetal told you about ASR*

*Leave it, Aman... I didn't believe it...*

Arnav gulped hard.

*It doesn't matter Khushi... I want to know what she is up to*

*She said Arnavji had affairs with many women. He killed her sister only because she got to know about his real face and he created a bad story about her sister to get sympathy*

Aman saw Arnav's reddened face and bloodshot eyes. He punched his thigh frustrated. He was frustrated just because Sheetal said worse about him. He was frustrated it was because she said that to KHUSHI.

*Why don't you want ASR to know about it?*

*I don't want Arnavji to feel bad... he is already distressed and struggling to forget his past... please don't make him feel bad...*

Aman saw his face soften.

*He won't feel bad. I will take care of him.* Aman said looking at Arnav.

*Thank you so much*

She disconnected the call with a satisfactory smile.

Arnav strode to the table. Taking the car key, he left his cabin. Aman understood where he is going.

To be continued...