Part 36 the reason behind the action

Arnav couldn't come out of the DAUGHTER spell. He sat on the bed and thought about it. Will their daughter be like Khushi...? An adorable smile crept on his face. What would he do if both mother and daughter make him wonder for his whole life? He nodded no smilingly. He stopped and wondered about his imagination. Had he become like Khushi in thinking of such things?

He thought about how she became sad the previous day. Thank God, she became brisk after dinner. She looked very upset after he denied having sweets in her hand. What could he do? He was not used to being so cheesy.

He waited for a while to get coffee. He thought Khushi will bring it for him. But nope. She didn't come with his coffee. He came downstairs to have it. He saw Khushi come out of the pooja room with Ratna.

*Oh... Has she been doing pooja...? That's why she didn't get coffee for him* he gave the reason for her actions.

Ratna kept vermillion on Khushi's forehead and fed her ladoo. Taking another ladoo from the plate, Ratna handed it to Khushi.

*Give this Prasad to Chotte...*

Khushi took it in her hand, nodding ok. Arnav's brain worked quickly. He ran back to his room and stood, keeping his left hand on his hip, scratching his forehead with his right hand. He planned something fast and went to the poolside. Taking a flower pot, he filled mud in it.

Khushi came with the ladoo to give it to Arnav. As he was not in the room, she ran her eyes to the poolside. She saw him doing gardening. Even though Arnav sensed her presence he continued his work not looking at her.

*Arnav...*

Arnav looked at her turning his head and stood.

*Hanna...*

*Amma asked me to give this Prasad to you* she said showing the ladoo.

*Oh... but...* he showed his mud-filled hands to her.

He thought she would feed the ladoo, seeing his hands dirty. Arnav was looking at her to know what she was going to do.

*Ok, then... I will keep it on the table... have it later.* Saying that she went inside the room, making him disappointed. Arnav threw his hands in the air all fed-up.

He just wanted to equalize his previous mistake... but Khushi didn't give him a chance to do that. Of course, nothing would happen as per our wish. This was how she too got disappointed when he denied having the sweet from her hand. He sighed.

Three days later

*We are leaving, Jeeji...* Manorama said.

*Why are you leaving so earlier...?* Ratna asked.

*It's a week since e came here...*

*So, what? what's necessary to go to Lucknow urgently?* Arvind asked her.

*We will come again for sure, Jeejaji...* Manorama said.

*Ok... but NK and Akash will be here* Arvind said.

*That's it...* NK said delightedly.

*Do you guys want to be here?* Manorama asked.

They nodded yes.

*I got a job in AR... so, I have no reason to come to Lucknow* NK said.

*Yes, ma. I too want to find a job in Delhi. What will I do in Lucknow?* Akash said.

*When your sons want to be here, what will you do alone in Delhi?* Ratna questioned Manorama.

Manorama looked at Manohar.

*We will settle down in Delhi with them. what say?* Manohar asked.

*That's a brilliant idea...* Arvind said.

*Then find a house for us*

*House? Why? Our house has much space for you guys* Arvind said.

*No, Arvindji... we are happy being with you. It's enough... we will get together often...* Manohar said.

*We will talk about it later... now let's have coffee* Arvind looked at Ratna.

Ratna nodded yes and called HP.

*Hariprakash...*

*Jee maji...*

*Bring coffee for all of us*

HP nodded ok and rushed to the kitchen and stopped, seeing Khushi with a coffee tray.

*I will give them* she smiled.

She came to the living room and provided coffee to everyone. She saw Raveena's daughters coming with a Mehandi cone. She went to them and sat beside them.

*Shall I draw Mehandi on your palm?* She asked them.

*Do you know to draw Mehandi?* Rupa asked.

*A little bit...* she smiled.

Rupa showed her palm and Khushi started drawing Mehandi. Rupa and Rubi were happy as Khushi drew well.

*Mami, you draw well...* Rupa showed her palm to Rubi.

She nodded yes excitedly because she was the one who was going to get drawn next. Raveena saw the Mehandi design on Rupa's palm.

*Khushi, could you draw on my palms too?* She asked Khushi.

Khushi was stuck for a second and nodded ok. Ratna wondered about it. Arnav who heard walked towards the door.

*Chotte, have some coffee*

Arnav nodded yes and went out. Khushi looked at Ratna who was looking at her questioningly. Khushi nodded NO like I don't know where he was going.

Arnav came out and looked at the opposite building. Removing his phone, he dialed a number that he found in a banner. The call got attended.

*Is this the EVA beauty parlor?*

*Yes, Sir, what can I do for you?*

*I'm calling from Raizada Mansion... it's opposite the tour parlor...*

*I know sir...*

*You have to apply Mehandi... could you come to my home ?*

*Sure sir... when?*

*Right now...*

*Now? Sir... we are only two persons in the parlor... can I come tomorrow?*

*How much do you charge to apply Mehandi?*

*Two thousand rupees per hand sir...*

*I will give you three thousand...per hand...what say?*

The beautician thought for a second.

*Ok sir... I will come*

*Thank you...is this number have Phonepay or Gogglepay?*

*Yes sir... we have both...*

*Ok, I will deposit money in your account...*

*Thank you sir*

Arnav came in and had coffee. The beautician arrived at RM. Ratna saw her.

*Who are you?* She asked.

*I had a call from your house a few minutes ago. he asked me to draw Mehandi for someone*

*We don't call you beta...*

*No, ma'am... I spoke to him...*

*Mom...*

Ratna turned towards Arnav who called her.

*I called her...*

All of them looked at him perplexed.

*You...? but why Chotte?*

*I called her for Di... she wants to apply Mehandi on her palm*

Raveena looked at him confusingly whereas Khushi was disappointed. This was the first chance, Raveen talked to her smoothly. Arnav spoilt it.

*Come in... she is my sister... you are going to apply Mehandi on her palm...*

The beautician nodded ok and sat next to Raveena. She handed Raveena a Mehandi book.

*Select a design ma'am...* she asked.

Raveena flipped the pages to select a design. Khushi stood, finishing applying Mehandi on Rubi's palm. Ratna saw her face hung. She felt bad for her. This Chotte...she sighed.

Khushi went to her room after finishing dinner. So did Arnav. He saw her face dim.

*Are you alright?* he asked.

She nodded yes and went to the washroom to get changed. Arnav sat on the recliner. He noticed her face hung.

He saw her coming out.

*You know I draw Mehandi well...* she said in a feeble tone.

Arnav sat straight and looked at her.

*My college friends demand me to draw Mehandi...* she pouted.

*So...?*

*You didn't see the designs I drew on Rubu and Rupa's palms.*

*I saw... when they showed it to Mom.*

*Were not those looking good?*

*They were... undoubtedly...*

*Then what's necessary to call the beautician?* she again pouted.

*Rupa and Rubi are small girls. They like whatever you draw but you can't satisfy my sister, no matter how beautifully you draw on her palm...she finds flaws in everything...*

Khushi looked at him without blinking.

*Did you call the beautician for that reason?*

He nodded yes.

*I don't want her to make upset people. Mom and Dad will get upset if she would have criticized you...*

*Oh... to save your parents from getting upset, you do that...?*

He looked at her without nodding yes. He smiled plainly.

*You are a very good son...* she appreciated.

Arnav leaned on the recliner smilingly. Did he do that for your parents, Arnav bituwa? He didn't want Khushi to get upset by her sister. He didn't like to hear anything which hurts Khushi and he didn't like to see her sad face. Arnav closed his eyes with a smile to get to sleep.

To be continued...