Arnav POV

“Whatever you want to convey tell that from far.” I heard Khushi rather talking in a rude tone.

“Don’t come between us Miss. Whatever. It's between him & me.” Meghna replied arrogantly.

“You better address me as missus... Mrs. Raizada is better. And you have no right to stop me from interfering in matters which concerns my husband.” Khushi replied back fervently.

“Wow!!! Even yesterday born got tooth to argue with me.” Meghna retorted sarcastically.

I couldn't help but imagine a fierce Khushi who doesn't think twice before giving slaps. My palm automatically raised to my cheek & rubbed the area where she had slapped earlier as if it happened just a moment ago.

“Daddy what happened to your cheeks?”

I get startled by her sudden query as I felt everyone eyes on me. Instantly I took back my palm from cheeks & looked at Khushi who scrunched her brows as if trying to read me.

“What?” I mouthed trying to act nonchalant but her reaction screamed her untrusty on my act.

All of sudden my breath got hitched & ears turned red at being caught.

“Don’t worry arnavji. I won't slap her. That treatment was exclusive for you.” She whispered on my ears. I gulped at her ability of guessing things in fraction of second. From the start she's proving this, at least in my matter she guess everything. I can't believe, my every reaction is obvious to her. How is it possible?

“Miss. Meghna I want to talk to you ALONE.” Khushi declared giving extra pressure to the last word.

Why she want to have a talk with meghna alone? What is cooking in her brain? What if Meghna spill out everything? What if the truth comes out? What if my fear come true? I.. I don't want to go through those sympathy glances again. Especially Khushi. I don't want any of her emotions be it either love or pity. I don't want it. I am enough for myself. I don't want her. I shook my head to clear the uncertainty I felt at the moment. I need to act fast than muddling over the past.

I looked up to stop Khushi from engaging in conversation but stood stupefied seeing the empty space in front of me. Instantly I looked aside & made a run towards dadi.

“Where's she?”

“Who's she chotte?” She questioned as if she don't know anything.

“Khushi. Where's she? Why didn't you stop here? You're seeing everything silently as if some stupid drama is happening here.” I roared getting annoyed by her ignorant behaviour. Why is she not understanding anything even after knowing everything?

“This drama is far better than those shows telecasted in television. Watch this silently chotte, even Ekta Kapoor shows will not be so interesting like this. My Khushi betiya is beating the evil left & right.” Dadi spoke proudly as if there's nothing wrong happening in our lives.

“Stop your nonsense dadi. Don't test my patience. Why didn't you stop her?” I yelled in stern voice fearing about the worst.

“Why should I? If you want you can go & stop her but wait… I won't allow you too, that Meghna needs some serious lessons from Khushi betiya.”

“Stop your drama dadi. Have you forget about the past? What if Meghna tells her everything?” I asked swallowing the uneasiness. What if Khushi come to know about that? How'll she react? Will she pity me like others? Or Ignore me like she did? But why do I care? Why the hell am I wasting my time about Khushi reactions? She can think whatever she wants.

“She has all the rights to know chotte.” I raised my lashes hearing her whisper.

“No. She has no rights to know that.” I told furiously. Yes, she has no right, I assured myself.

“You're so funny chotte. Just yesterday you married her both ritually and legally.”

What, legally? That caught my attention.

“Don't frown too much. The paper you signed yesterday was your marriage papers. Even before Meghna lawyer could get a stay against you, I asked my lawyer to register your marriage. So Meghna will not win at any cost.”

I slumped down on the chair & rubbed my face. I don't know what's happening? And why everything is happening? I am doing everything in my hands yet I am the one who gets into trouble always.

“Yesterday when you went out with Khushi betiya, Meghna came here asking for you. I bragged about khushi & your marriage. But I never know that would lead her to take this step. Fortunately, she spoke to her lawyer standing in our veranda that I happened to hear it. I've no choice but arrange your marriage asap. I rectified my mistake chotte. It's me who asked you to make her a partner in your company & again it's me who asked you take over the responsibility of Iniya. But I never know Meghna will turn like this... It's not Khushi fault. Like you, she is also unaware of my drama. Don't treat her badly chotte. She deserves all love from us especially you.”

The nerve of dadi, even after doing every wrongings in my life she's speaking like this. But I… can't hate her.

I felt a press on my shoulder “Chotte say something.”

“What do you want me to say? Do I've any choice other than accepting every shitty thing destiny throws at me? Let it be. I am tired.” I mumbled slouching down on chair.

A soft caress on my face made me look up. My Barbie doll is standing with sad face.

“Daddy…” She cooed a cry throwing her arms around my neck, jumping from the nearby table. I can feel my sadness seeping into her system. Poor kid, how much she has to suffer in this cruel world in this young age?

“What doll?”

“Mamma said we're going to stay here with you. But… you're sad. Are you not happy with us coming here? But all my friends living with their mummy, daddy. Why aren't you living with us?” She asked in her childish voice which has the power to sting my heart.

Where the hell did I landed myself taking Iniya too? For the first time, I feel my decision wrong. I shouldn't have encouraged Iniya when she called me daddy at first, when I clearly know that there isn't any hope in this baseless relationship. It isn't obvious that every kid wants to live with their parents. Iniya wish is purely a genuine one like a freshly bloomed flower. How am I going to crush it? I glanced her innocent face. She must be cursed to born for Raizada's. How am I going to explain to her about the whole complicated relation between her mother and me? How would she react? Can she take the fact of me not being her father?

My musings came to halt as I heard Khushi voice. It's such a wonder, that I started to recognise her voice.

“Iniya & Meghna jethani is going to live here with us.”

I stood up in shock putting Iniya down. This can't be true. Is she insane?

“What the hell Khushi? Who gave you the right to decide about her stay? And what's this new jethani drama?” I yelled in shock. I can't breath the same air as Meghna knowing her intentions. It's not that we didn't stayed under single roof but that was when she was my bhabhi. But now the equations changed.

“I've all rights arnavji. See this…” She pointed her mangalsutra “You tied it around my neck. You yourself have given me the right and no one can deny it not even you. As much as this house is yours it's mine too. I've all right to decide who can stay here & who not you've no say in that. And she's your bhabhi right, then I am calling her with correct relation.” She blabbering angrily raising my rage. What is she thinking? That she can do whatever she wants & no one question about it.

“Don't fly high khushi. You'll fall badly.”

“Khushi betiya think twice before taking such a drastic decision.” Much to my delight Dadi also didn't support Khushi in this matter.

“Dadiji as much as I respect you as a elder, you should at least trust me if I take any decision. And believe me when I say this, I am not having the same trust on you after you pulled out the stunt yesterday. You did what you felt right. Let me do what I want to do.”

How dare that thin girl backanswer my dadi?

“Don't disobey her Khushi. Ask sorry to her. No one... I mean it no one have the right to insult her in her own house. Apologise now.”

Her eyes turned fierce as she stood flaring her nose in anger playing opponent to my rage.

“It’s other way arnavji. It’s she who should be sorry. Did she ask me before taking the biggest decision of my life? No na…”

“Don't dare to utter this bullshit Khushi.” I roared burning with rage.

“Chotte stop it. She's right. I snatched her dream. Calm down.” I felt soothing circles on my arm as dadi stood my side.

“Khushi betiya I am so..”

“I really don't need it dadiji. Yes, I am angry with you but your single apology is not going to amend anything nor I'll feel proud on making an elder to apologise to me. Give me sometime, I need to process the things & I badly need to work on trusting you again. Now please arrange a room for her, I'll help you in making breakfast.”

Saying this she entered into MY room. What the heck? Who is she to dictate us? Did she even know what headache she brought in this house? Do I even have the right to open my mouth to convey my disapproval in my own home? I don't think so...

“Heyyyyy…. I am going to live with you daddy…”

I sighed and stood still letting Iniya to hug my legs as she shrieked out in delight.

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