Part 11 Concern

Arnav started the car towards the hospital.

"When will you go home, Khushi?"

"Usually, after seven. It may take time if any emergency case arrives. Why are you asking?"

"Just for a general knowledge."

Khushi smiled.

Arnav stopped the car in front of the hospital.

"Thank you so much."

"Welcome..."

Khushi held the door knob to open the door. She again closed the door and hid her face with her palm nervously.

"What happened, Khushi?"

"Please start the car..."

"What's wrong, Khushi?"

"Arnav, please, go..."

Arnav started the car and geared up. Glancing at Khushi, he saw her closing her eyes and gripping her jaws. As Khushi had just asked, Arnav didn't know where to go, so he drove the car towards AR.

Khushi sat straight, not looking at Arnav.

"Arnav, drop me here."

Arnav looked at her and continued driving.

"What are you going to do, getting down here?"

"Will go home."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah..."

"By the way, may I know why you got scared?"

Khushi was silent.

"Don't mistake me. I don't ask that to know about your issue. I will do something if I can..."

"No thanks, Arnav... there is nothing you can do in that..."

"Khushi, I'm repeating this. You can ask me for help. I will do it. Trust me, I have a little power in this town," he said, smiling.

"Thank you for your concern..."

"May I ask you something?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Who are you?"

Khushi looked at him, smiling.

"You are from London, but my friends are your friends..."

"It's because we studied Physiotherapy together."

"That means your native is India..."

"Yeah, Delhi is my native."

"Your parents?"

"I lost my Amma when I was sixteen."

"How?"

"Heart problem"

"Father?"

"He is fit and fine."

"You mean he is in Delhi?"

Khushi nodded yes. Arnav became silent. He didn't know if he could ask her why she hadn't met her father or stayed at his place.

"For some reason, I left India... That's why I don't want to meet any family members."

Arnav remembered how she lashed two women in two different situations. He knew they were her family members. Sheetal called her sister and said, 'Your sister-in-law is back'. Then Khushi called a woman, BHABI, who she met in the shopping mall. They were indeed her family members. If she didn't want to meet her father, then why did she meet those women and threaten them? What happened in her life? Why Sheetal asked her, 'Are you still alive?' Why did Sheetal fear that Khushi would say something to someone called Aman? Who was Aman? What could Khushi tell Aman about Sheetal? What was there in Khushi's life? Why did she come to India with only her baby? Where was her husband? Why didn't he accompany her? Did they fight?

Arnav's chains of thought broken, hearing,

"Arnav..."

Arnav looked at Khushi.

"Where were you lost?"

"Did you see one of your family members in there?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Will they call you to your house?"

"They won't... definitely not at this time."

"Ok, come to RM."

"No, Arnav, drop me home"

"Won't you listen to anyone?"

Khushi blinked at him.

"You know, you're a tough nut to crack", Arnav sighed.

Khushi looked outside, controlling her smile. Arnav took a U-turn and dropped Khushi home.

"Don't call me if you want anything."

Khushi frowned.

"However, you are not going to listen to me... that's why I said what you will do."

Khushi got out of the car smilingly and left.

Khushi came home and called Payal. She attended it.

"Payal..."

"Khushi, where are you? Why didn't you come to the hospital?"

"I saw Pramod in the hospital."

"whaaat? Why did he come here?"

"|I don't know... maybe Sheetal or Bhabi would have told him about my arrival."

"You are right. They would have asked him to meet you."

"That's why I left the place immediately."

"You have done a good job."

"I don't think running away is a solution. I should face him. I would have done that today, but Aashi is with me. That's the only reason I left the place. I don't want them to know about Aashi as of now."

"Mmm... has her admission done?"

"Yeah, Arnav accompanied me. He is doing much more for me. I don't know how I'm going to compensate for it."

"He won't expect you to compensate it."

"He is a nice guy. Thank you for introducing him to me, Payal,"

"I'm happy you are happy about him."

"Mmm... I will come to the hospital tomorrow after sending Aashi to school."

"Ok, I will manage..."

"Thank you, Payal."

They disconnected the call.

Khushi changed her dress and thought about what to cook. That was when she got a call from Ratna. She attended it.

"Hi, Aunty..."

"Did you cook?"

"Not yet, Aunty. Going to start..."

"Ok, don't cook...I will send you lunch."

"Why Aunty...? I can manage."

"I know you can manage... I don't send you food just because you can't manage. Ok?"

"Ok, Aunty"

"That's good..."

"Thank you, Aunty."

"Welcome"

Ratna disconnected the call and called Arnav. He attended the call.

"Haan, Mom"

"I called Khushi and said what you wanted me to..."

"Thank you. Mom"

"Are you coming, right?"

"Yeah, coming..."

"Ok," She disconnected the call.

After a while,

Khushi opened the door, hearing a knock. She was stuck to see Ratna with Arnav.

"Aunty, you brought our lunch?"

"Yeah, because this bag refused to come here on its own," She said, making a face.

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"And Mom doesn't know your house. So, I accompanied her," Arnav said.

Khushi smiled and gave them space to enter. Aashi rushed to them and cheerfully hugged Ratna's legs. Ratna lifted her in her hand and kissed her cheek.

"Are you going to be here?" She asked.

Ratna nodded yes.

"A man is here. I don't like him," Aashi said, making a face.

"Why don't you like him?"

"He is not like Mr Puzzle... that's why."

"That means you liked Mr. Puzzle...right?" Ratna asked smilingly.

"Yes. I like him. Mom also thanked Payu for introducing him to her. Am I right, Mom?"

Arnav looked at Khushi smilingly, who suffocated.

"Mom, let's eat. I'm hungry" Arnav changed the topic, not wanting to embarrass Khushi.

"Don't you eat?" Khushi asked.

"We thought to eat with you."

"But, there is no dining table, Aunty. You will be uncomfortable sitting on the floor."

"Who said? I always sit on the floor."

"Is it?"

"Yeah, from when I had the knee pain, I started sitting on the floor."

"That's nice."

"Yeah... but you..." Khushi looked at Arnav. That was when she noticed he was wearing track pants and a T-shirt.

She spread a mat, and they sat.

"Aashi beta, come, I will feed you," Ratna said.

Aashi sat in between Arnav and Ratna. She leaned on Ratna's thigh and started eating.

"The food is tasty" " she said, licking her lip.

"Wow... what a compliment...!" Ratna kissed her forehead.

"Dadi, will you be staying with us?"

Ratna looked at Khushi, who felt awkward.

"Of course, I'm going to be here today..." Ratna said, and Khushi looked at her surprisingly.

"Until you get a house, Mom will be here", Arnav said.

"No, Arnav... why are you troubling her?"

"When did I say it's a trouble?"

"I didn't mean it, Aunty..."

"Chotte told me about your house owner. How could we be peaceful leaving you and baby here? No no... I won't leave you alone..."

Khushi didn't know what to say. She was embarrassed like hell by their sweetness.

"You don't have to be embarrassed. Won't you let me be here if I'm your mother?"

Khushi was stuck. She could not control herself from being emotional.

"There is no difference between you and my mother, Aunty" She chocked,

Arnav saw her getting emotional for the first time. She stood firm always... even when she threatened Sheetal.

"Relax..." Arnav said.

"I never know humanity is still alive... I saw people who won't hesitate to tear another's flesh for their benefit."

Ratna looked at Arnav, who blinked his eyes.

"Why are you guys so sweet?"

"Don't think we will be like this to everyone. We liked you and Aashu... that's why we are sweet to you," Ratna accepted.

That was when Payal called Khushi.

"Haan Payal..."

"Khushi, it's an emergency. Could you help me?"

"Do you want me to come to the hospital?"

"No, no... I will send you the address of the physiotherapy clinic. Could you attend a case there?"

"When do you want me to go?"

"After an hour..."

"Ok. I will go."

"Thank you so much, Khushi."

"Bye"

Khushi disconnected the call.

"What happened?"

"I have to attend a case."

"Chotte, you take her. I will be with Aashu," Ratna said.

"I'm sorry, Aunty. I'm troubling you a lot."

"I will be with Aashu happily. Don't say it's trouble."

"Shall I go?"

"Eat first and then go."

Khushi ate fast and got ready. Arnav took his car key and Khushi to the address sent by Payal. He stopped the car. Khushi headed into the complex. Someone was shocked to see Khushi and followed her.

To be continued...