Part 12 Dragon Monkey

After dropping Khushi Arnav off, she left the place. Khushi headed to the clinic Payal wanted her to go to. She was supposed to enter the clinic but stopped, sensing someone touching her shoulder. Khushi turned behind and was horrified to see the person.

"Buaji..." murmured her mouth.

In no time, she hugged her emotionally. Buaji was the only person who never suspected her, even in critical situations.

"Buaji... how are you Buaji?"

Buaji pulled her from the hug.

"Where were you, Khushi? Didn't you feel like seeing me once in six years?"

"No day passed in my life without thinking of you, Buaji..." Khushi said emotionally.

"Why did you leave the house without even bidding me goodbye?"

"I didn't want to be in a place where no one believed me. Would you have let me leave the house if I had told you?"

"I would not have because I trust you... you are my child. I brought you up. My upbringing would not be wrong."

"Thank you, Buaji... thank you for trusting me."

"I always do."

"How is Babuji?"

"I can't say he is fine. Though he doesn't show his regret, I can understand that...you know what, Sheetal's wedding was fixed with Aman Mathur."

Khushi stayed silent. She didn't say she knew that.

"Don't know how your Bhabi and Sheetal made him agree to this wedding."

"Means?"

"Aman was so upset, Khushi. He even stopped going to the hospital, you know...! He not only loved you but respected you a lot. The TRSUT he had in you is something. He could not come out of the BETRAYAL..."

"I didn't betray him, Buaji..."

"Maybe...but you were framed. By the way, what happened that day, Khushi?"

Khushi looked at the surroundings and then at her watch.

"I came here to attend to a patient, Buaji. I will tell you later. By the way, what are you doing here?"

"Did you see a small temple next to this complex?"

Khushi nodded no.

"I regularly come to that temple. She is a powerful God."

"I lost trust in God so long, Buaji."

"I can understand Khushi. No one should face such a phase as you did. But don't lose hope. Aman bituwa is not written in your destiny. I don't know what else I can say."

"did you come alone?"

"Yes, I won't expect anyone. Sometimes, Shyam drops me if he crosses this area."

Khushi was silent.

"Where are you now?"

"I'm in Delhi only... I was in London. I just came here a few days ago." Khushi didn't say anything about Aashi to Buaji. Buaji was an orthodox woman. She could not understand Aashi's stuff.

"Ok, Buaji, I have to go."

"Give me your phone number," Buaji asked rightfully.

Khushi didn't deny it. She gave me her number. Khushi was supposed to go, But Buaji clutched her hand.

"Khushi, I need to know one thing. If you are not wrong, how did you end up in that situation? How Khushi?"

"I was targeted, Buaji..."

"Who targeted you? Why?"

"The ones who Babuji gave shelter in our house..."

"You mean Sheetal and Pramod?"

"Not only them... Bhabi was also with them."

"What do you mean?" Buaji was shocked.

Khushi gulped down.

"Tell me, Khushi..."

"Buaji, I have no time to tell you anything. We will meet one day... or call me when no one is home. I will surely tell you what happened that day."

Buaji nodded thoughtfully. She didn't expect Anjali and her siblings to be involved in the scenario—it was least expected for her. She thought their family had a lovely daughter-in-law. It seemed they had an intention. They should be watched, she thought. Bauji left the place.

Khushi went to the clinic to attend a patient. Her mind is stuck in the past. Though physically present in the clinic, her mind travelled in reverse and returned five years ago.

Then...

"Khushiiii..." Shashi Gupta called.

Khushi rushed out of her room, leaving her work behind.

"Yes, Babuji..." Khushi got stuck seeing Aman Mathur in her house.

"Sir, you? Good evening, Sir."

Aman nodded his head with a smile.

"Babuji, he is Aman Mathur. Our hospital dean..." Khushi introduced him to her father.

"We know... he told us" Shyam smiled.

"Oh... by the way, Sir, may I know why are you here?" Khushi asked.

"To ask your hand from your father for marriage."

"Marriage? With whom?"

Shashi and Shyam chuckled.

Shyam said, "Khushi, this is why he liked you so much. I suppose... he wants to marry you."

Khushi's eyes popped out. She looked at Aman shockingly, who was smiling at her. She bowed down nervously.

"Aman sir liked you so much... he wants to marry you," Shyam said.

"What say, Khushi? Do you like him?" Shashi asked.

"Babuji, if you like him..."

Cutting her,

"He is asking for YOUR acceptance, Khushi", Aman said, smiling.

"I... I don't know... what to say..." She said, looking down.

"Say what you feel..." Aman said.

"I don't feel anything..."

"Ok, sir, give her some time... let her think," Aman said.

"It seems your Dean wants you to accept him directly", Shashi laughed.

Khushi blushed.

"Shall I talk to Khushi?" Aman asked and saw Khushi panicking.

"Khushi, he will not eat you. Don't worry," Shashi said laughingly.

"My sister is so naïve... she didn't expect you want to marry her. That's why she is nervous..." Shyam said.

"But, she will have to meet him in the hospital tomorrow... What will you do, Khushi?" Shashi asked.

"Sir, don't frighten her. She may resign from her job" Aman smiled.

"You don't have to bother about her, Aman. She will marry you. My daughter won't defy me... ever... for anything... Am I right, Khushi?" Shashi asked.

Khushi nodded yes with a smile.

"Still, do you want to hear Khushi's acceptance?" Shashi asked Aman.

"No, sir... we can go ahead because I expect this kind of reaction from Khushi, and that's what I liked in her," he said.

"So, can we fix the date?" Shyam asked.

"Yeah... I will bring my parents tomorrow..."

"Not tomorrow; we will do it on an auspicious day."

"Tomorrow is also an auspicious day. I checked," Aman said.

"Oh, it seems you are fully set," Shashi said proudly.

Aman smiled.

"Ok, then, you can bring your parents tomorrow."

"Ok, sir... we will come tomorrow."

"We will be waiting for you," Shashi said, shaking hands with Aman.

"Bye, sir... bye, Khushi" Aman left.

"Khushi, I hope you will blame me for making you marry him," Shashi asked.

Khushi nodded NO, blushing, and rushed to her room. She stopped at Anjali's room entrance, hearing,

"What's happening here? Your father-in-law and husband are going to fix Khushi's wedding with Dr. Aman," Pramod shouted.

"Don't shout..."

"How could I be silent?"

"Even I don't know about this alliance. I could do anything only if they discussed with me..."

"Didn't you say you would get me married to Khushi? Was that a lie?"

"Listen, this is happening beyond my control. Shyam didn't tell me anything about this wedding. He directly took it to his father. Then what could I do?"

"I don't know what you will do. I want to marry Khushi. I want her," Pramod shouted like a maniac.

Khushi clutched her shawl fearfully. Did Pramod want to marry her? Death would be better than marrying Pramod. She had never seen such an irresponsible person in her life. He was thirty but still sitting at home, not thinking of doing a job. He would poke his nose in everyone's business without shame. He won't mind stealing money from Shashi and Shyam's pockets. Khushi hated him from the bottom of her heart. She didn't expect him would like to marry her. Thank God Shyam took the alliance with Shashi directly.

Now...

Khushi jerked when she heard a phone ring. That brought her back to the past. Taking the phone, she attended to the call.

"Hello, Arnav..."

"Have you done, Khushi?"

"In ten minutes..."

"Ok, come out."

"Are you here?"

"Yup..."

Khushi sighed, nodding her head.

Finishing her work, she came out. She smiled at Arnav.

"I would have come on my own..."

"When did I say you won't?"

"You are impossible, man."

Arnav started the car smilingly.

When they came to Khushi's house, Aashi rushed to Khushi and hugged her legs.

"It seems someone is happy...!"

Aashi gestured for her to come close to her. Khushi kneeled in front of her.

"Dragon Monkey is gone..." She giggled, closing her mouth.

Khushi frowned, not understanding what she said.

"You house owner went to his native with his family for a funeral. That's what she says," Ratna chuckled.

Khushi controlled her laughter, biting her lip, whereas Arnav laughed louder, hearing her calling Lokesh Ram DRAGON MONKEY.

"When did you name him Dragon Monkey?" Khushi asked.

"When he entered our house without your permission," She said.

"Thank God he is gone... we can be peaceful for a few days..." Khushi said.

"I will get a house for you before he comes", Arnav said.

Khushi nodded yes.

"Chotte, you go home. I will stay with Khushi."

"No need, Aunty. As the owner is not here, we will be safe. You will not be comfortable here. Please go, aunty. I will come to RM tomorrow."

"Are you sure?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Ok, if you want anything, call us. Ok?"

"Sure"

"Aashu, shall we leave?"

She looked at Khushi.

"Dadi will not be comfortable here, beta. Her knees will pain."

Aashi nodded. They bid bye to them and left half-heartedly.

To be continued...