Part 43 Khushi's decision

I was driving the car thinking about where would Khushi go. I was not in the position to question her before. But, now, everything changed. We were not like before... I could question her. yet, I didn't know whether I should question her. At the same time, I was confused about why did Khushi go without informing me. Was that something secret? Did she have a secret in her life...? Still...? My mind thought unnecessarily. I knew that. This was human nature. It would forget everything and get stuck at one point. I decided to wait to see what Khushi would do.

My chain of thoughts got broken when my phone rang. I took my phone in eager that it might be Khushi's call but it was as usual Aman's call.

"Haan, Aman I'm on the way to AR. Will be there in half an hour"

"ASR..."

I sensed a spark in his voice.

"Our company shares value three percent increased" Aman almost shouted.

"Whaaaat?" I could not believe that.

"Yes, ASR... our shares were stable when the market opened today. Now, it increased by three percent"

"oh... we will talk in person"

"Ok, ASR" Aman disconnected the call.

I could not believe it. It was not a simple matter. Forty-five percent of our company shares were in outsiders' hands worth rupees one hundred crore. Most of the shares were in Mithra's hands. Then how it was possible? Was Mithra playing again? She tried to trap Payal by gifting a diamond jewelry set but Akash flopped her plan by paying its bill. Was she trying her trick on me now to show herself submissive? At the same time, I could not believe Mithra would give up on the ONLY grip that was on her hold. Then how did it happen? I was confused.

That was when my phone again rang. I saw Khushi's name flashing on my mobile. I attended it immediately.

"Hello, Khushi..."

"Arnav, are you busy now?" She asked.

"For YOU, I'm always free"

She chuckled.

"Are you in any meeting or something?"

"I'm on the way to AR from the Mini Palace," I said to know her reaction.

"Did you go to Mini Palace?" there was no tension in her voice.

"Yeah, to take a file, I came to Mini Palace"

"What a husband you are! You came home and didn't find your wife at home but didn't question her...! This is not fair..." she said showing disappointment but I knew she was not disappointed.

"I was supposed to call you..."

"Ok, come to City Hospital"

I became tense. Why did Khushi go to the hospital?

"City Hospital? What happened Khushi? Why did you go to the hospital? Are you alright?"

For a few seconds, Khushi was silent. I didn't know why.

"Khushi... I asked you something"

"I can't say yes," she said sadly.

"What's the matter, Khushi?"

"The doctor confirmed"

"What?"

"I'm pregnant"

"Whaaaat?"

"Haan... have you forgotten what happened between us yesterday?"

I was like what the...

"Yeah, I came for a check-up and the doctor confirmed"

I was silent.

"Just now I got the scanning report. The baby is exactly looking like you"

I sensed her controlling the laughter. I understood she was pulling my leg. I huffed.

"I think it's not a scan report but my photo" I countered.

"Come to the hospital and see it by yourself," She said.

"Mmm... by the way, Khushi, are you sure it's only one baby?" I asked.

"Whyyyy?"

"They must be at least five to six as the way I played yesterday was so powerful..."

Khushi chuckled.

"Stop flaunting and come" She disconnected the call.

I drove the car all the way smilingly. I didn't know what was stored for me in the city hospital.

I reached the City hospital and called Khushi.

"Where are you, Khushi? I'm in the hospital"

"Come to the next building..."

I looked at the next building on the right side.

"Next building? But, it's an apartment"

"Yeah... B wing, fourth floor"

"Okkkayyy"

I went to the fourth floor of B wing. Khushi was waiting there for me. I saw a house door being opened on that floor.

"Let's go..."

She took me to the house and introduced me to a man in the house.

"He is my husband Arnav Singh Raizada"

"Hello, Sir, I'm Gowtham Sethi"

"Hello Mr. Sethi" I shook hands with him.

"Please take your seat," he said.

I sat on the couch and Khushi sat next to me.

"He is my school friend... Now, became skilled in the share market"

I was thrilled. Was Khushi the reason for the increased share value of our company? My mind thought hastily.

"Khushi told me about your company's downfall and about the shares. She wants to transfer all the outside shares to your name" Sethi said.

I looked at Khushi with surprise.

"But, it needs nearly a hundred crore," I said, looking at Khushi.

"No, it needs more than a hundred crores now. Your share values increased this morning" Sethi said.

I said nothing as he was right. I looked at Khushi perplexed. Didn't she know we didn't have that much money in our hands?

"I have arranged money," She said in a low tone making me stun.

"You arranged it? But how?"

"We will talk about it later. First, give your company and your personal details to Sethi" she said.

"I need to talk to you first," I said firmly, wanting to know what Khushi had done to arrange money.

"Ok, you guys have a talk" Sethi went inside, leaving us alone, giving us the space we needed.

"What's all this, Khushi? It's more than a hundred crores... how could you manage?"

"I don't know you would be so BLUNT," She said controlling her laughter.

I didn't smile but looked at her SHARPLY.

"I'm a PRINCESS after all..." She used the word Princess for the first time but I didn't know what her Princess title would do with my problem.

"Khushi, what's the point?" I asked losing my patience.

"I have jewels worth rupees two-fifty crores," She said.

I was dumbfounded. Did she decide to sell her jewels to save my business?

"No no no... I can't accept it" I said without thinking. I was not fine with the idea of selling my wife's jewels. As a husband it made me feel like, I was useless.

"Why?" Khushi asked.

"No, Khushi... this is not done. Let's go" I tried to get up.

Khushi pulled me back.

"Why? Am I not your wife? Do you STILL think I'm a stranger?" She asked me silly questions.

"Khushi, don't be silly..."

"Then what? Are not your problems mine too? Do you want me to flourish wearing those jewels when you are in worry?"

"I'm not worried..."

"Don't lie..."

"Khushi, I can manage"

"Why can't you manage with my jewels?"

"Try to understand Khushi"

"You try to understand. I'm not going to sell all my jewels but only half of them. The remaining jewels are more than enough for me. Don't you know I don't like to wear jewels?"

I blinked my eyes slowly as I didn't know how to make her understand my point.

"We will talk later and decide... give me some time, Khushi"

"No... I already decided and you have to do what I say" She ordered.

I gulped down hard.

"I could have done this without your consent too... but I didn't want to do it. That's why I called you here. Don't make me angry... you don't know my anger. I will add more salt to your dinner then..." she said seriously.

I could not hold my chuckle.

"Please accept it Arnav" She pleaded.

Honestly, I didn't like to take the jewels from Khushi. I wanted to stop her. My mind worked fast and I got an idea.

"I helped you to achieve your goal. So, are you paying back what I did to you?" I asked making up myself.

Khushi's facial expression changed and I expected that. She sat straight gritting her teeth. I knew I hurt her. She wanted to help me genuinely but I had no choice other than this to stop her. But, her next stance told me my plan was flopped. she was Khushi after all...!

"Very good trick to stop me... but I'm not going to fall into your trap. Ok?" She said making me speechless.

"Khushi..."

"If you don't give the details, I will get it from senior ASR. He will happily do what I say... understand?"

Of course, she was right. Senior Raizada would happily do that... more than that, he would worship Khushi for his whole life to save his business.

"What say?"

I didn't know what to do.

"Look, if you think a lot, I will go back to my PERSONAL room again" She threatened.

I looked at her shrinking my eyes. She came close to me and held my chin.

"Are not you a good boy, do it, Arnav, please. Don't think differently. This is the matter between you and me. There is nothing more than that" She blandished me.

I nodded ok closing my eyes not because I was fine with it. I didn't want to upset Khushi. Khushi smiled brightly and kissed my cheek making me smile.

Khushi bought all the shares in my name and AR's share value increased more in a day unbelievably.

We took Mr. Sethi's leave and got into the lift. I pressed the emergency stop button and stopped the lift. Khushi looked at me raising her brows.

"I feel like kissing you," I said.

Khushi made a face and said,

"You can't kiss a pregnant woman"

I chuckled and pulled her towards me. she hugged me with a smile.

"Thanks..." I said.

"Do you want me to accept your thanks?"

"Won't you?"

"I think we should stop thanking one another. Is not our relationship beyond gratitude?"

I nodded yes and kissed her forehead.

"That's all?" She asked.

"This is a sign of respect," I said.

"I won't accept this tonight," She said, pouting.

"Either me..." I chuckled.

That was when my phone beeped with a message tone. I removed it and saw the message from Abimanyu the program director that stated, 'Khushi's program telecasting date was fixed'.

To be continued...