Part 8 Shocking turn

As Garima asked, they finished the rituals within three days. Guptas shifted to Laxmi Nagar the next day itself. Raizadas accompanied them to Laxmi Nagar and settled them down there. They felt bad as the house was so small compared to their previous house.

Ratna came to Madhumathi who was with Garima, arranging their clothes in the cupboard.

"Are you going back to Lucknow Madhumathiji? " Ratna asked.

"How could I go back leaving this two Nandkishor? I don't have an idea to go back. I'm planning to sell my house that is in Lucknow"

"Haan, Ratna. Jeeji's presence will be helpful for us..." Garima said.

"You can call me anytime for anything," Ratna told Madhumathi.

"Sure, Ratnaji... you are our only hope. Your support means a lot to Garima and Khushi" Madhumathi said.

"I know Madhumathiji. We are here for them" Ratna said looking at Garima.

"We would have broken more if you are not with us Ratna. In the courage of your presence only I'm breathing little peacefully" Garima said.

"Don't worry, Garima. We will do what has to be done" Ratna said looking at Khushi who bowed down understanding the meaning of her words.

Garima nodded ok delightedly.

"Arnav is in India. I think we should get Neerav and Khushi married before he goes back to London again" Ratna said.

Khushi looked at her perplexed.

"Aunty, please... just now we have lost Babuji... I need some time..."

"Khushi... it's not a good manner to interfere in elder's discussion. We are not going to fix your marriage tomorrow itself... it will happen only after one or two months if we start talking about it now... " Madhumathi chided.

"She is not wrong, Madhumathiji. We should consider her feelings because she is the one who is getting into the relationship. Don't worry beta... we won't force you for anything" Ratna said.

"By the way, who is your younger son? I don't see him here but only your elder son" Madhumathi asked.

Ratna became nervous. She somewhat expected this question from them.

"He was here only... didn't you see him? He was wearing a white shirt"

"White shirt...? Oh... that guy? I thought he is someone who is not related to you..."

Ratna knew what she is hitting. Neerav is not at all showing interest these days.

"Come to our house, Madhumathiji" she changed the topic.

"Will surely come..." Said Buaji.

Arvind came there with Arnav.

"Shall we go, Ratna? "

Ratna nodded yes.

"We will come with Shagun," Ratna said.

Khushi was suffocated.

"Not so soon, Khushi...relax" Ratna smiled.

Khushi nodded, smiling at her a little.

Raizadas took their leave and walked towards the car. Ratna didn't see Neerav there.

"Where is Neerav?" Ratna asked.

"He got a call from his friend and he fled..." Arvind said wearily.

They got inside the car. Arnav occupied the driver seat and Arvind sat next to him. Ratna sat in the back seat. Arnav drove the car off Gupta House.

"Why is Neerav doing this, Arvindji? He changed a lot... doesn't he?"

"We will talk to him today... I didn't get time to talk to him in the past days" Arvind said.

"I feel bad for Khushi, Dad... how would she feel sensing him distancing from her? " Arnav said.

"We will talk to him today about his marriage with Khushi," Ratna said.

Arnav nodded yes.

Evening

Neerav came to RM. He saw his parents having coffee with his elder brother.

"Hi, dad..." he sat with them.

"Where were you? "

"Just went to meet my friend..."

Neerav called Hari Prakash.

"Hari Prakash..."

HP came there.

"Bring me a coffee"

"Jee"

Ratna gestured for Arvind to start. Arnav was observing Neerav while having coffee.

"I think this is time to fix your marriage with Khushi as we planned. Chotte is also here. Before him leaving India, we should arrange the marriage. We should not delay it anymore" Arvind came to the point without beating around the bush.

"Haan... We should fix it soon. Then only Garima will be stress-free" Ratna said.

"Mom... I too am thinking of talking to you about it..." Neerav said.

Ratna looked at Arvind delightedly. So, Neerav also wants to get married to Khushi soon. Not bad. Arnav smiled at Ratna. But his next stance stopped their breath.

"I don't want to marry Khushi," Neerav said in a timid accent.

People present there were shocked understanding what he just emitted.

"What did you say?" Arvind asked could not believe that.

Neerav was silent.

"You are the one who wanted to marry her " Arnav sneered.

"I did...when she was equally fit into our status..."

"So, you liked not Khushi but her property...right?" Arnav seethed.

"I liked Khushi who had property..." Neerav said.

"Both are the same..." Arnav said.

"Let it be..."

"This is not done Neerav..." Ratna said with a horrible expression.

"Neerav... Just think of Khushi... How bad she would feel if she gets to know your rejection..." Arnav said gulping down.

"Be practical, Arnav... won't you say we should not be sentimental idiots...?"

"It was for business... Not for family..." Arnav said.

"According to me, my family life is more important than business... I'm not ready to marry her... How could I marry a girl who is a beggar...?"

That stance made them more shocked.

"Mind your tongue, Neerav..." Arvind warned him.

"Why Dad...? She is indeed a beggar now... I want to tell people about my wife and her status proudly... how could I marry a girl who is expecting each and every penny from others to run her life?"

Arvind was about to say something, Arnav stopped him.

"There is no use of talking to him after he addressed her with such a word, Dad..."

Arvind looked at him horrified. Ratna stood all shock.

"Chotte is right... Khushi will not be happy if she gets to know how low he is thinking of her... He will taunt her I the future for sure..." Ratna said with the same shock.

"Mom... Help her for her earnings... Offer a job in our company... Get her married to someone who is equal to her status... Simple " Neerav shrugged his shoulders.

"You don't have to say what we should do... I will break your teeth if you talk about Khushi anymore..." Arvind sneered.

"Why are you reacting so much, like, I roamed with her every day Dad? She never showed interest in our relationship...we never spent time with each other... thank god it never happened. it won't be hard for her to change her mind."

Neerav left the place. Arvind sat on the couch with a thud.

Arnav was angry like Hell. He just wanted to punch Neerav's face for addressing Khushi as a beggar. How could he utter such a word for the girl who he loved once? Or... would he never have loved her...? Yes, he couldn't think about her of low if he loved her truly... Idiot... is he so much interested in money than a relationship? That's why he kept his distance from her at the time of Shashi's rituals? Arnav tightened his fist.

They have no idea their talks with Neerav had been heard by Buaji who just came to return Ratna's purse that she had forgotten in GH.

To be continued...

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Khushi was not interested

Madhumathi became furious hearing Neerav. How could he degrade Khushi? Was not he behind her shamelessly? Is everything money? Then, Khushi no needs such a man in her life. She deserves better. Let Raizadas know, they are not cheap and they can live without their support. Madhumathi wanted to lash them over. But she stopped, hearing,