Part 49 Broken Egg

Arnav couldn't believe what just Jamal said was happening around him without his knowledge. It seems Khushi was madly in love with him... Loving someone for more than four years is not a simple thing... that too, without the other one's knowledge... It was purely a CAT ON THE WALL situation. She would not have had an idea about her future. She loved him before his marriage and continued loving him even after he murdered his wife, without changing her mind. Was her love that deep? When he was looking for his wife's love which was not at all exist, a girl had been crying for missing him. How unpredictable life is...! What would have happened if he had not gotten to know about his wife and waited for his wife to start a life? A small girl's life would have become lifeless.

He saw Khushi's mobile on the table. He remembered in what name she has been stored his number. SOULMATE... when he saw that on her phone, he wondered but he never imagined that there could be an untold story behind her actions. What a heavy word SOULMATE is... was he worthy of it?

Arnav knew she won't lock her phone with a password. He knew it is not good manners to check others' phones... that too without their permission. But now, he was not in the state to think about decency. Taking it, he searched for something about HIM but he didn't get anything. He opened the gallery and searched. He saw HIS photos in the camera folder. But the photos looked new to him. He never had seen the photo. His LOOK in the photo said that the photo would have been captured after he got released from jail because he looked rigid in the photo. He tried to recall when he wore the dress. He looked at the pics one by one keenly and saw a saffron color flag behind him. His eyes widened. That was the same temple in which he met Khushi for the first time. Yes, he had been wearing the same suit that day. Did she capture his pic that day? Yes, she was taking selfies with Devi Maiya's idol. She should have pretended like capturing selfies but captured HIS photos. How beautifully she acted as if she had never seen him before...! Didn't she ask, MAY I KNOW WHO ARE YOU?

Keeping the phone back, he came to the kitchen to meet Khushi... the girl who was hiding her love from him.

In the meanwhile, Ratna was thinking about Manorama's words that she said once. Khushi's extreme level of trust in Arnav wondered her. Any woman in her place will get angry hearing the recording or get upset but Khushi stood firmly supporting Arnav. It didn't seem like a simple love. Is it ONLY understanding?

She smiled seeing Khushi getting inside the kitchen. Khushi clutched Ratna's hand.

*Thank you so much, Amma... because of you, Arnavji opened his heart up* she said cheerfully.

*How many times will you thank me Khushi? *

*Whenever I feel to do that...* She smiled.

*You deserve it... you deserve a happy life...*

*Arnavji also deserves Amma...*

Ratna stopped for a while.

*Can I ask you something? *

*You can ask me anything Amma...*

*How do you love Chotte to this extent? * she asked her finally.

Khushi got stuck for a second as she didn't expect this question from her.

*If anyone would have been in your place, she had upset like hell with Chotte but you... I don't think it's a simple understanding... it seems something is beyond the horizon...*

Arnav who came there stood, hearing their talks.

*Amma... I love Arnavji... don't you know? *

*I too love Chotte. I know him more than anyone yet I was shaken when I heard the recording... but you...? *

Khushi gulped hard whereas Arnav became curious. His mother is very smart. She also got it.

*Are you hiding anything, Khushi?*

Khushi didn't look at her eyes and it was enough for Ratna to understand that she is hiding something.

*Won't you tell me?*

*Actually, Amma...*

Before she said anything, Arnav interfered.

*What do you ask her, Mom?*

Khushi jerked hearing his voice suddenly.

*No, Chotte...I just...*

*Khushi had never seen me before... I just got released from Jail... how could she have loved me before itself...?* He questioned, looking at Khushi who smiled awkwardly.

Ratna nodded yes affirmatively.

*And... if you think she would be in love with me before I went to jail, it is so illogical... because she was so small at that time. She would have studied in ninth or tenth grade...*

Cutting him,

*Twelfth grade...* Khushi said hurriedly.

*Oh...* Arnav said raising his eyebrows.

*See, she was a twelfth-grade KID at that time...* Arnav said seriously.

*I'm not a KID...*

Khushi said making face. Ratna looked at her frowning.

*Not now, Khushi... before four years I said*

Khushi gulped down. Arnav smiled at her.

*Chotte, are not you getting late to the office? *

*My friend is coming, Mom. He was unable to attend our marriage. So he wants to visit us*

*Oh... do you want me to prepare anything for him? *

*Let him come...he is a busy man. We can't plan without his context*

*Ok...*

That's when the calling bell rang. Arnav knew who that was. He went to open the door. Khushi also excused herself from Ratna and rushed out of the kitchen. Ratna followed her.

Arnav opened the door and Khushi's breath ditched, seeing Jamal. Arnav shook hands with Jamal, looking at Khushi from the corner of his eyes.

*Mom, he is ACP Jamal... I told you about him...*

*Yes... I do remember. Namaste...* Ratna greeted him. Jamal nodded yes.

*Hi, Khushi...* Jamal smiled at her.

Ratna looked at him confusingly.

*Do you know Khushi?* She asked.

*Yeah... she and my sister are friends...*

*Oh...*

*And...*

Cutting him,

*Bhai... please, take your seat... I will bring you coffee...* She tried to go from there.

*What is this Khushi? He is your friend's brother. Won't you ask him anything about your friend? * Arnav said.

*Hann...How is Sarah?*

*She is fine... she too wants to meet you because finally, you got your LOVE...* he broke the egg.

Khushi closed her eyes, folding her lips.

*What are you talking about? LOVE...? But this is an arranged marriage...* Ratna said.

Jamal smiled.

*Don't they know about it, Khushi?* he asked straight.

Khushi looked down scratching her forehead.

*What are you talking about?* Ratna asked whereas Arnav was looking at only Khushi who was suffocating like hell. He smiled, seeing her sickly sweet.

Before Jamal said anything,

*Bhai, please...*

*What's wrong Khushi?* Ratna asked.

Khushi nodded not giving up.

*What was that you about to tell us, sir?* Ratna asked.

*She is the one who provided Arnav everything when he was in jail...* Jamal said.

*Whaaaat! But how? Chotte didn't even agree to meet us... then how did she do that? *

*She didn't meet him. She did that through me...* Jamal said.

Ratna looked at her unbelievably.

*What does that mean?* Ratna asked.

Khushi looked at Jamal pleadingly who smiled at her.

*Why Khushi? Why don't you want me to tell the truth?*

*What truth?* Ratna asked.

*She was in love with him even before his first marriage* Jamal spilled the beans.

Ratna looked at him with a shocked expression whereas Arnav stood smilingly.

*Is that true Khushi?* Ratna asked her.

Khushi closed her eyes and nodded yes as there is nothing to hide anymore. Ratna looked at Arnav who was smiling at her.

*Chotte, do you know that?*

*Just now, Jamal sir told me...* he smiled.

Khushi looked at him widening her eyes. After knowing everything only he spoke to his mom like he didn't know anything...

*I knew... I knew something is there beyond my knowledge... Or else how could she be so lovable...?* Ratna said breathlessly.

Khushi looked at Arnav from the corner of her eyes. She didn't see any expression on his face and she couldn't understand anything from that.

To be continued...