Part 6 Arnav's Decision

Anjali was shocked to hear Arnav's decision.

"Whaaaat? What did you say?" She shouted.

"I would like to go abroad", Arnav repeated.

"Chotte... I hope I'm not dreaming."

"Dii... stop your drama."

"Drama...? I can't believe what you say. How many times have I pleaded with you to go abroad...? Then how could I believe?"

"You can believe it."

"What happened to you all of a sudden that made you such a decision?"

"I want to settle down in my life... that's why."

"Oh..."

"So, I decided to go abroad on a short-term project."

"That's a nice decision, Chotte. Your Jeejaji will be happier than me."

"I will talk to him later, Di."

"Ok, Chotte. I'm so glad about your decision, you know."

"I know, Di"

"Any special reason for your special decision?" Anjali asked curiously as she knew him.

"Di, do you want me to change my decision?"

"Ok ok... I won't ask you anything."

"Good night, Di."

"Good night"

Arnav disconnected the call and went to the washroom to get fresh. When he came out of the washroom, he heard his phone ring. He took his mobile and saw Shyam's name flashing. Arnav rolled his eyes. Anjali should have told him about his decision to go abroad. He attended the call.

"Hi, Jeejaji, how are you?"

"I'm so fine and thrilled because of you. Anju said you are ready to come abroad..."

"Yes, Jeejaji. I just thought of settling down in life. Though my salary is enough for me, I have not started saving money."

"That's nice to hear, Arnav. It's an excellent decision. You will get a good post with a good pay. You will not consider returning to India if you come here once."

"No, Jeejaji, I will definitely come back to India..." Arnav said, thinking about Khushi.

"Yeah, I know how much you love India."

Arnav was silent.

"I'm so happy about your decision, Arnav. I will arrange your visa..."

"How long will it take to complete all the formalities Jeejaji?"

"I can arrange it in a week..."

"No, give me some time. I will come next month."

"That's great. We are going to start a new project next month. You can join us."

"Thank you, Jeejaji"

"It's me who should thank you. I know how sincere you are. I'm lucky to have you in my company."

"Thank you for trusting me, Jeejaji"

"You deserve it."

"Thanks,"

"Bye, we will meet soon."

"Yup," Arnav disconnected the call.

Finally, he found a way to treat Khushi. She would get her vision back soon, so he decided what to do.

The next day

Arnav got ready to go to an important place. His office was on holiday because August 15th was that day. He called Akash, who attended the call.

"Haan, Arnav"

"How is Khushi?"

"She is better now."

"She is better now means, was she not fine?"

"Yes, Arnav. She didn't sleep for a long last night."

"Didn't you and your mother tried to console her?"

"No Arnav. We could not."

"What do you mean?"

"Amma was highly angry with us for filing a case against Prathik."

"But why? He is a rogue..."

"She is scared that Khushi must go to the police station and court."

"So what?"

"She forced me to withdraw the case as it will make Khushi's life too miserable."

Arnav rolled his eyes with annoyance.

"I can do nothing, Arnav. So, I withdrew the case. Khushi was upset with us for doing that."

"I would like to meet you," Arnav said.

"I have to deliver four items... we can meet after that. Or,

you can tell me the matter on the phone."

"No... It's an important matter. I don't want to talk about it on the phone. Can I come to your home?"

Akash was stuck. He didn't know what to say as Arnav knew he would not invite anyone to his house. But Arnav's approach with Khushi the previous evening wiped his hesitation.

"That's okay, Arnav. I'll be home in an hour. I'll send you my address."

"Thank you"

Arnav calculated Akash's return time and started from home accordingly. He reached the address Akash sent and walked inside. He stopped hearing,

"Amma, why did you change the song? I like that song. Please keep it," Khushi said, her voice weary.

The song changed by Garima was, YEH DUNIYA EK DULHAN KE MAATHE KI BINDIYA...!

"Song and you...! What did you gain from being patriotic? A guy with bad intentions misbehaved with you. You were shielding yourself, not wanting to reveal your identity. This is what this country gave you. This country will not save you. Men in this country are waiting for a chance to tear you..." Garima said, feeling distraught.

Arnav felt terrible for both of them. He didn't know if he should go in or not. He decided to leave the place as the situation looked unpleasant, but he stopped hearing Khushi saying,

"I'm facing the problems. It's not because I belong to India. It's because a few people in India are bad. It's not our country's mistake because every country has good and bad people equally. Every country is facing the same problem as India. I'm an Indian. It isn't a problem. I'm blind. It's also not a problem. The problem is people with bad intentions. It's not because I'm patriotic. If I face problems being patriotic, I don't care about it because I don't mind about bad people. I'm grateful to our country for giving me some nice people like Payal, Lavanya, Preeto and Arnav."

Arnav's eyes sparkled. Was Khushi thankful to India for

Giving her a nice person like HIM made him feel proud of himself.

"Arnav? What do you know about him?"

"I may not see people through my eyes, but I can understand people by the gesture and by their TOUCH...! Yesterday, when I clutched his hand, he didn't consider taking the situation in his favour. He didn't feel to touch me in return. If someone had been in his place, he would have even hugged me, but he didn't do that. He led me to the washbasin by his commands...! He could have clutched my hand and took me to the washbasin. No one would have thought of him wrong. Yet, he behaved gently."

Arnav was not on earth. He didn't think Khushi would have observed him to this extent. He silently emerged but with courage. He saw Akash coming. Stopping the bike, he came to him.

"Why are you waiting here, Arnav? You can go inside."

"I didn't find your bike outside. So, I decided to wait for you."

"Ok, let's go."

He brought Arnav inside. Garima frowned to see a guy with Akash.

"Amma, he is Arnav."

Arnav saw Khushi straightening herself.

"Oh... Just now, I told Khushi how curious I am to meet you," Garima shamelessly lied.

Though Arnav knew it was not true, he smiled. Arnav looked at Khushi, who was suffocating.

"Let's go to my room, Arnav."

"No, Akash... I want to talk to all of you."

Akash shrank his eyes.

"Tell me, Arnav."

"You know I have no one for myself. I have been alone for three years after my parents' demise. I have my own house, and I'm working in a chemical company, and now I've decided to go abroad," he said, looking at Khushi, whose facial expression changed upon hearing his last statement. She composed herself and came to her senses.

"But why are you saying this to us, Arnav?" Akash questioned.

"I have a reason. I want you people to know about me."

"But why?"

"Because I would like to marry Khushi," Arnav said, making them dumbfounded. Khushi felt dizzy...!

To be continued...