Part7 Quarrelling

Ratna called Aman and said the matter. Aman became tensed, hearing Arnav is going to GH to stop the marriage. Taking his bike key, he moved out while talking on the phone with Ratna.

"Aman beta, I'm nervous. If he says he is not interested in marriage then we can do nothing..." Ratna said sadly.

"You don't worry mom. I will go to Gupta House and try to stop ASR." Aman gave her hope.

"Thank you Aman beta."

"It's my duty mom."

Aman disconnected the call. He jumped on his bike and geared it up towards GH.

We knew Arnav was not ready to get married because he already had enough in the name of marriage. Hence, he didn't want to fall in the same WELL in which he got suffocated.

GH

Reaching GH, Arnav stopped the car outside. Getting down from the car, he went inside to kill the issue right away. His steps slowed down, as he heard quarreling from inside the house. Of course, "HE" was the topic of the quarreling. Guptas were talking about HIM and about the marriage only. It was clear that Guptas are also not fine with this marriage. That means he doesn't have to do anything to stop the marriage. Guptas themselves will stop it. He supposed.

Khushi knew she has to face such a situation with Garima and NK. It's her responsibility to clear her stance and make them stress-free. She already knows that she has to answer them about her decision. After all, they are the main part of her life.

Arnav became confused at first because they are convincing Khushi. One of the voices was a woman and another one was a man.

"Khushi, listen to me. You don't have to marry him for the sake of your father." Garima pleaded.

"She won't marry him... I won't let her marry him. I will talk to Babuji regarding." NK said.

It was not hard for Arnav to understand who they are. The woman is Mrs. Shashi Gupta and the man is his son Nandkishor. They were present in his marriage with Shashi but the GIRL didn't attend his marriage. He has not seen her ever.

"Khushi, there is no compulsion for you to marry him. This is your life. You no need to get compromised." Garima said.

Arnav turned to leave the place because he believed that Guptas will solve the issue but he stopped hearing the soft voice of a girl.

"I'm not compromising, Amma..."

Arnav frowned, hearing her stance. He stood without a movement unintentionally.

"What are you telling, Khushi?" Garima asked helplessly.

"I agreed to the marriage, not for the sake of Babuji. I'm really fine with this marriage Amma."

Is she ready to marry him that too without compulsion? Arnav was astonished.

"Have you gone mad? He is a murderer... he killed his own wife damn it. That much anger is not good to a family..." NK shouted.

Arnav gulped. This is what he feared off.

"I can't understand why you are shouting. Do you forget what you said when he got released from jail? Didn't you support him that day? Didn't you say anyone in his place would have done the same? What happened now? You have changed your perspective just because I'm your sister?"

NK tried to say something. Khushi stopped him by showing her palm.

"Yes, he murdered his wife... not because she asked him for jewelry... not just because she wanted to visit her mother's place... Just stand in his shoes and talk Nanne. Being a man, what YOU (she stressed) would have done if you were in his place? I have no doubt; you would also have done the same..."

"Khushi, he is a wounded lion... he may show his dissatisfaction with you... he may suspect you too..." Garima said.

"Why are you bothering about it Amma? Don't you know your daughter? What if he suspects me? He is never going to get any food for his doubt...because I'm your daughter... you taught me values... to be loyal Then why do I bother if he suspects me? I will daringly bet him to prove me wrong..." she said confidently.

That confident would have touched any man's heart... And also Arnav's...

"But, what's necessary to marry him when you have choices?" NK asked her wearily.

"Because I won't get an important assurance if I chose anyone other than him."

" Assurance? What assurance you are talking about?" NK asked her.

"Why did he kill his wife?" she questioned him back.

"She betrayed him..." NK said calmly.

"That means he couldn't bear the betrayal... if he hates the betrayal, he will also not betray me..." she smiled.

Not only Garima and NK but also Arnav flabbergasted.

"What else other than THAT assurance a girl needs in a relationship? He won't cheat on me, Amma. It's more than enough for me. Do you say you can get me a Groom with such assurance?" she cornered Garima.

Garima and NK spared a glance because not only them, no one can give such assurance for anyone. And of course, they didn't even think that Khushi would see the positive side in this issue.

"I will be happy Amma. Trust me..."

Garima sat on the couch silently. NK went to his room said nothing.

"Amma, he tasted a bitter fruit in his life. He won't make me eat the same fruit, Amma..."

Arnav who came to stop the marriage was standing like a statue. Something is blocking his throat and he was trying to swallow it hard. He headed to his car without meeting Khushi Gupta. He returned back, doesn't mean he is ready to marry. Still, he was not ready to get married. At the same time, he was confused about the idea of stopping the marriage. He himself couldn't understand his own mind. Arnav headed to RM all the way thinking about the girl KHUSHI and her replies to her mother and brother. How the girl is so wiser? How could she think only positively in the uncertain matter? What is she doing? How old she is? How does she look like? There were a lot of questions, wandering around Arnav's mind. And... he wanted to see the girl.

His friend who came to GH to stop Arnav stopped, seeing him returning back speechlessly. Aman... He called Ratna and recited what he just witnessed. Ratna could not believe Arnav is returning back, without meeting Guptas.

"Is it true?" she asked unbelievably.

"Yes, Mom."

"Hey, Devi Maiya, you saved me..." Ratna thanked the Goddess.

"Yes mom... DM saved us. She made him hear Khushi's viewpoint..." Aman said happily.

"What did she say?" Ratna asked curiously.

"Mom... She is an excellent choice for ASR..." he said confidently.

"Please tell me what she said." She asked restlessly.

Aman said what he heard. Ratna's eyes pooled with happy tears instantly.

"She really said so?"

"Mother promise..." Aman smiled.

"I can't believe she is so wiser... She is a very small girl, Aman beta." Ratna let out her amazement.

"Maturity is not about age, Mom. It's all about upbringing and born nature..."

"You are not wrong. She is Shashi bhai's daughter after all." She said proudly.

"Mom, ASR will come home. Don't ask anything and just watch what he does."

"Ok..."

They disconnected the call.

In the meanwhile, Arvind called Shashi and told him that Arnav went to GH to stop the marriage. Shashi rushed to GH to console Arnav, leaving everything behind. But when he came to GH, there was complete silence.

Garima looked at him.

"You came? Do you forget anything?" she asked looking somewhere as she is upset with him.

"My head is aching."

"I will bring you coffee." She was about to go to the kitchen,

"Where is Khushi?"

"Where else she will be? In her room..." she said tartly.

Garima went to the kitchen. Shashi was confused. Would not have been Garima happy if Arnav would have stopped the marriage? Maybe, she is not showing her happiness to him ... so that, he won't make any moves to mend things... he supposed.

Shashi rushed to Khushi's room. He saw her folding her dress. She smiled at him.

"Babuji... you came?"

"Actually, we talked something with Garima today morning..."

"I already told you my decision..."

"What about now?"

"Now? What happened now, Babuji?"

"Are you alright?"

"Haan..." she shrugged her shoulders casually.

Shashi sighed relief. That means Arnav didn't come here.

"Babuji, you don't worry about me. I'm alright." She smiled.

"I hope you don't mistake me..."

"Why should I Babuji? I know you."

Shashi kissed her forehead and left the room. Coming to his room, he dialed Arvind's number after closing the door. Arvind attended the call in the first ring.

"Arnav didn't come here."

"Really? Then where did he go?"

"He must have gone somewhere to cool his mind down."

"Don't underestimate him. He may come there anytime." Arvind warned.

"Let me handle..." Shashi said.

Arvind disconnected the call and looked at Ratna.

"Chotte went to GH but didn't meet Guptas," Ratna said happily.

"Really? But why?"

Ratna narrated to him everything that she just heard from Aman.

"Is it? I can't believe this."

"Don't ask him anything. Let him do what he wants."

"Thank God..."

They sat relaxing.

After a few minutes

They saw Arnav coming inside RM. Ratna was observing him said nothing, pretending like she was sad. Ratna wondered. He was damn angry when he left RM but not now... She controlled herself and kept silent.

Arnav went to his room and closed the door. He was in a very critical phase of his life. He doesn't know what to choose. Though he doesn't want to share his life with anyone he couldn't say a clear cut NO now.

To be continued...

The next chapter is available on Inkitt

Dilemma Mind

Arnav didn't have the mood to go to AR but he couldn't be at home because he doesn't want Ratna to suspect him. If she got to know about his uncertain mind, she will make him marry Khushi Gupta by hook or by crook. Taking his coat, he came downstairs. As he didn't find Ratna in the living room, he came to the kitchen, searching for her. She was cooking lunch.