Part37 Birthday Gifts

Arnav got a call from DELHI BENEFIT FUNDS PRIVATE LIMITED manager. He frowned, seeing the number, and attended it.

"Hello, sir," Arnav said.

"Sir, we are in trouble," the manager said

"What trouble?"

"It seems your mother-in-law got doubt on us"

Arnav got stuck.

"Means?"

"She is here, asking for the details about the account of Shashi Gupta"

Arnav was shocked. Why does Garima do this? What does she want to know?

"Sir, I don't know what to do"

"Try to handle her."

"We tried sir. But she is not ready to listen to us"

"What is she saying?"

"She is asking so many questions for what we have no answer"

"Where is she?"

"She is waiting outside my room, sir"

"What is she exactly asking?"

"She needs to see the documents of Shashi Gupta's accounts, Sir"

"But why? You can tell her that's not possible as it's against your rules"

"I told her Sir but she said she can't believe her husband deposited money without her knowledge"

Arnav sighed.

"Your mother-in-law is not we thought sir. She is suspecting us." said the manager and raised his head. He got stuck, seeing Garima looking at him. He gulped down awkwardly.

Garima extended her hand towards him asking for the phone. The manager passed the phone to Garima silently as he understood that there is nothing he can do with it anymore. Garima kept the phone in her ear.

"Ask her to come tomorrow... tell her, you need time to search the file," Arnav said.

"No need Arnav... as I got to know what I want to," Garima said.

Arnav got stuck, hearing Garima's voice.

"I know you must be behind this money issue... you know what? No finance company will give money to anyone without the particulars. They didn't even care to ask us that"

Arnav rolled his eyes. He didn't know the authorities would have done the blunter and he didn't expect Garima would be so mean.

"Aunty, I just..."

"I can understand... Neerav refused to marry Khushi just because she was left with nothing. You want to make her confident, right?"

"Not only Khushi but also to make you confident aunty. Please don't mistake me"

"How could I misunderstand you, Arnav? I just wanted to know the truth because I know my husband... he would have told me if he had done something GOOD. He used to hide only BAD things from me"

"Bad things?"

"Haan, Arnav... he trusted everyone easily and his cousin brother took advantage of his innocence"

"Whom you are talking about?"

"Kailash... the one for whom he signed the surety"

"Where is he? Do you know about his whereabouts?"

"No, beta... he was in Delhi only but after Shashiji's demise, he has not seen in anywhere"

"Oh... could you get information about him from any of your relatives?"

"I will try to get information about him... but why?"

"Just like that..."

"Oh..."

"Aunty, please don't tell anything to Khushi about this"

Garima sighed.

"I don't know what to say, Arnav"

"Please accept the money aunty..."

"What will I do with this money, Arnav? What's the use of this money after losing Shashiji?"

"Maybe not... you can shut people's mouth who taunted uncle... don't you feel bad hearing that, aunty?"

Garima was touched.

"People only know that he committed suicide but the turmoil he underwent in his last days. How guilty he would have felt for trusting his brother? He would have cursed himself for making you and Khushi penny less. Make his soul rest in peace, aunty"

Garima chocked.

"Thank you, Arnav. Even I was angry with him..."

"I know... and it's obvious. Don't feel bad for that"

"Mmm"

"Go home, aunty"

"Bye"

Garima disconnected the call. Arnav huffed in relief. Though he failed in his plan he was happy for making Garima understand.

Arnav was satisfied with something too. He just confessed his love to Khushi that he had been holding in his heart for a long.

On the other hand, Khushi wondered about his confession. She couldn't believe Arnav was in love with her for long. She recalled their first meet and their conversation. She spoilt this coat by spilling ice cream on it. He laid to Shashi to save her from getting scolded. He said he will call her on her birthday but he didn't... becasue the marriage talks of hers and Neerav started. Would he have been wished her on her birthday if the marriage talks of her and Neerav had not taken place? She thought something and rushed to their room.

In the meanwhile,

Anup Kapoor was attending a meeting in his office. He was discussing improving his company's dealership. Suddenly, the door of the conference room got opened. People who were in the meeting turned towards the door. They were stunned, seeing the son-in-law of their Boss standing with a brandy bottle. Anup stood from his chair, gulping down.

"Namaste, father-in-law..." Neerav saluted Anup, bending down, exactly like a drunkard.

"Neerav, what are you doing here?" Anup asked him gritting his teeth.

"Shhhh... you should not question me. I have all the rights to come here... I'm your Damad... do you forget what an effort did you put to trap me...?"

The people started gossiping.

"Hello, gentlemen... do you know how he trapped me?" Neerav asked.

Anup rushed to him and held his shoulders.

"Neerav, behave yourself"

"Behave...? How? Just like your daughter behaved with me? Just like she fell on me, wrapping a towel on her body?"

Anup rolled his eyes irritatingly.

"Trust me, gentlemen, she was wrapping a towel... only towel... do you know why? Juice spilled on her dress..." he laughed like an idiot.

"She was in a stranger's place. She didn't even lock the door of the room while taking bath... Would any girl come out of the washroom, wrapping a towel around her body while staying in a stranger's place...? Will she take bath without even locking the main door of the room?"

"Neerav..." Anup shouted.

"Why father-in-law? Didn't you teach your daughter that how to be in front of men?"

"He is drunk..." Anup said looking at people.

"Yeah... what new in that...? You knew well that I drink... by the way, why did you give my friend fifty lakhs?"

Anup was suffocating.

"Did you give him money for bringing me to your daughter's ROOM where she had been wrapping a towel?" he asked sarcastically.

"Neerav... this is the limits... get out of my office" Anup yelled.

"Yeah... ask your daughter to get out of my life... or else..." he stopped and walked out laughing.

Anup was horrified.

"Disperse..." he said looking at the people and they started leaving the room one by one.

Anup was furious, agitated, helpless, whatnot. he didn't expect Neerav would insult him like this. He underestimated Neerav. He is not what he was... how did he get this guts? How dare he come to his office? Doesn't he have respect for Arvind? Why doesn't he think of his father even though Arvind is not supporting Neerav? Anup thought to talk to Arvind about Neerav because he thought only Arvind can control him.

...........

Khushi saw Arnav going to Arvind's room. She came to their room rushing as she knew Arnav won't come soon. Closing the door, she ran to the closet. She checked it thoroughly but she didn't find anything that she was searching for. She sighed. That's when her eyes fell on the suitcase that was on the top shelf of the closet. Bringing a stool, she pulled it down. Opening it, she checked the case. She saw the peacock green coat in the case. That was the same coat Arnav was wearing at his parents' anniversary party. Taking it, she kept it aside. Her eyes widened as the coat still had the ice cream stain. She caressed the ice cream stain with mixed feelings. She saw a handbag and a Barbie doll in the suitcase. She removed the handbag and there were a few more things in the handbag. A greeting card, lipstick, Pen, purse, and a gold ring. She opened the card and read it. her lips curved into a cute smile, seeing,

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MOST INTERESTING GIRL I HAVE EVER MET" is written on it.

She hugged the card close to her chest smilingly. She raised her head, hearing the door opening sound. She saw Arnav standing with a bewildered expression. Khushi stood, hugging the card not feeling to keep it down.

To be continued...