Part 42 It is not an accident

Arnav was smiling at her lovingly. Khushi finished dressing his wound.

*Are you alright?* she asked him worriedly.

Arnav nodded yes.

*You don't be worried. Ok?* Arnav said.

Khushi said nothing and Arnav understood the meaning of her silence that SHE WILL BE WORRIED. She gave his wallet to him back. Taking it from her hand, Arnav kept it in his pant pocket. Arnav removed his phone and called Aman. He told Aman about the accident.

*Where are you now?*

*Near the coffee shop opposite the Temple*

*I will be there in a few minutes* Aman started walking even before disconnecting the call.

*Let's go to the coffee shop* Arnav said to Khushi.

She nodded yes and followed him. They sat again at the same table. The bearer ran to them as he knew what happened to their car a few minutes ago.

*Two Caffe Mocha...* he intentionally ordered a different flavor, expecting Khushi to ask for Cappuccino.

But, Khushi said nothing but sit, bowing down. Arnav knew she was scared and she was nervous.

*Khushi...* he called her slowly.

She looked at him and bowed down again. Arnav saw her eyes teary.

*Khushi, I'm alright...*

Khushi bit her lower lip and tears rolled down her cheek.

*Khushi, control yourself...*

Khushi wiped her cheeks. The bearer came with Coffe Mocha. Keeping them on the table, he left the place.

*Khushi, have it...*

Khushi was silent.

*Khushi...*

Taking the glass in her hand, she sipped. She kept it back with just a sip.

*Don't you like it?* Arnav asked.

Khushi looked at him silently and said nothing like *Is this a situation to drink our favorite drink?* a lonely tear slipped from her eyes.

That was the first time Arnav saw someone crying for him after his mother. Khushi would cry only if she was upset. She said she cried for two months a few years ago. What would be the reason for her long cry? What would have happened so seriously? Didn't know why he thought about it.

Arnav saw Aman getting inside the coffee shop, searching for them. Arnav raised his hand and Aman rushed to them.

*What is this ASR...? The car has crashed like PAPPAD.*

Arnav switched his gaze from Aman to Khushi. As he expected, she cried closing her eyes. Aman noticed it and understood Khushi's condition. He touched Khushi's hand softly.

*Khushi, relax...*

Arnav widened his eyes, seeing his friend's consoling method. Khushi wiped her cheek.

*I don't think it's an accident...* she said with a broken voice.

Aman looked at Arnav who also had the same doubt.

*Let it be anything, Khushi. We will find it out. You don't stress* Aman said.

Khushi clutched her head, keeping her elbows on the table.

Arnav gestured to Aman, we will talk later. He didn't want to talk about the possibility of the accident in front of Khushi.

Aman extended his car key.

*Take my car...*

*You?*

*I called the commissioner and told him about the accident... he said he will send AC Peter to the spot. I have to be here when he comes... I will take a cab after that*

*I will come back, dropping Khushi home*

*Ok*

*Let's go Khushi...* Arnav stood.

Khushi followed Arnav. Aman stood, looking at the car.

Arnav started the car after waving his hand toward Aman. Arnav was stealing a glance at Khushi while driving the car. She was silently sitting.

*Khushi...*

She looked at him, slightly turning her head.

*Will you be like this for the whole day?*

Khushi again turned her head not answering him.

*This crying face doesn't suit you...*

She gulped down.

*Find the person behind the accident* she said, looking outside through the window.

*Why do you think this is not just an accident?*

*The driver looked at us after hitting the car and he didn't stop the truck...*

*He might have been nervous about the accident...*

*No... he was not nervous. He looked at us with disappointment. he should have been hired by someone to kill us...or me...or you...*

*Did you see him?*

Khushi nodded yes.

*Could you identify him?*

*Definitely... his dirty face is standing right in front of my eyes... *

*Ok... I will do whatever to find him. But you please relax ok?*

He didn't get an OK from Khushi which made him worried.

RM

They reached RM. Ratna saw them coming. Her smile vanished, seeing Khushi's puffy face.

*Khushi Beta... did you cry? What happened?* She asked worriedly, looking at Arnav.

*Chotte... did you make her cry?* she asked him.

Arnav was stunned.

*Why do I make her cry Mom?*

*Then why is she crying?*

*Our car met with an accident...*

*Whaaaat!* she was shocked.

Arnav nodded yes.

*She is upset since then*

*Khushi...* Ratna touched her chin.

In no time, Khushi hugged her and cried. Ratna caressed her back whereas Arnav stood silently.

*I'm scared, Amma... do you know how our car got crumbled?*

Ratna looked at Arnav and he nodded YES affirmatively.

*If we would have delayed a second then we would not have seen him alive...* she spilled tears on Ratna's shoulder.

Ratna felt bad for Khushi. She broke the hug.

*You don't need to worry about Chotte. Our astrologer said that Chotte will live to the age of ninety... and he will have ten grandchildren...*

Hearing that, Khushi blushed and Arnav was unable to see that as she was facing her back to him.

*Mom, stop frightening her...is not ninety too much?*

Khushi glared at him with her teary eyes. She ran to their room wiping her tears.

*This is not done Chotte... why are you speaking like that? See, she is crying... she is already upset and you are pouring oil in the fire...* she chided him.

Without answering her, Arnav galloped to his room. He saw Khushi looking at the floor blankly, sitting on the bed. He sat next to her which she didn't expect.

*I was just kidding... I told you, Khushi... this crying face doesn't suit you... be cheerful...*

*What if something would have happened to you?* She asked.

And Arnav had no answer to that question. What would have happened if he had died...? He gulped down.

*But, nothing had happened to me and I'm talking to you... as Mom said, I will live to the age of ninety... asking you not to cry...* he said.

That statement made Khushi smile.

*That's good... keep smiling...* he wiped her wet cheek with his palm.

Khushi swallowed hard, looking at his face.

*I will be back soon. Be with your Amma.* he stood from the bed.

Arnav stopped, feeling a tug in his hand. He saw Khushi clutching his wrist. He looked at Khushi.

*Can't you do the process from home?*

He knew she was scared of sending him out.

*I will take another way to reach the place...ok?*

*Be careful...*

*Sure...*

Khushi followed him downstairs. Ratna was there in the living room.

*Mom, I'm going to the spot... will be back soon*

Ratna nodded ok. Arnav left RM. Khushi stood, looking at his retreating figure.

To be continued...