Part 16 Lost Sleep

Khushi lost her sleep. She never wanted to think about the dark day of her life, but after meeting Aman Mathur, she could not stop thinking about it.

Then...

Khushi rushed to Payal, who visited her house. She hugged her happily.

"Come on, going-to-be bride..." She welcomed her.

Shashi saw her and smiled.

"Namaste, uncle..."

"Hi, Payal... how are you?"

"Doing good with your blessings, uncle."

"So sweet of you, beta...! What is your friend saying?" he asked, looking at Khushi.

"What would she say, uncle? After all, she is your daughter... your words will become hers, and your wish becomes her goal..." Payal nagged Khushi.

Shashi smiled proudly.

"You know why I'm here?"

"You can come here for no reason, beta. You don't need a reason..."

"Of course... but this time, I have a reason."

"Oh..."

"You talk like I'm one of your family members, but your daughter is still in the circle..."

"What circle are you talking?"

"I'm talking about the circle that she drew for herself. My marriage fixed..."

"Oh, really? Congratulations..."

"I invited her to my wedding announcement party, but she is not ready to come."

"Why Khushi?" Shashi asked.

"How would she come without getting your permission?" Payal hit Khushi's shoulder. She rubbed it, pouting.

Shashi rolled his eyes.

"That's the circle I talk about. She is still in the circle called FATHER."

"Hahaha..." Shashi laughed.

"You are invited to the party," Payal said.

"When is the party?"

"Tomorrow evening..."

"Sorry, beta... I can't attend the party because Shyam and I have an important conference, but Khushi will come."

"Thank you, uncle."

That was when they heard,

"Won't you invite us?"

When they saw Anjali and Sheetal standing, Payal became awkward. She never liked them because they always poked their noses into unnecessary business. They were mood-spoilers.

"Why not? You can join Khushi," Shashi said, which disappointed Khushi.

"No, uncle. I can't go, but Sheetal will go," Anjali said.

"Why Anju?"

"Tomorrow is Friday, uncle. I will keep fasting and go to the temple."

"Oh, yes. Ok, you carry on."

"I will surely come," Sheetal said as if Payal expected her to attend. Payal faked a smile.

The next day

Khushi had come home from the hospital earlier to attend Payal's party. She stopped without a movement when she heard someone murmuring. She slowed down her steps, sharpening her ears. She realised it was Anjali, Sheetal, and Pramod.

"Be careful... no mistake should happen. This is the only chance we have. If we miss it, everything will slip from our hands," Anjali said.

"You don't worry. I will take care of everything. She can't slip from our hands," Said Sheetal.

"I will kill you if you mess it" Pramod warned Sheetal.

"I hope you won't mess it up because you are a bull-headed guy. It's you who always mess everything..." Sheetal said annoyingly.

"No... not this time. I need her..."

"Yeah, you need her, but you won't do anything that attracts her."

"I did many things, but she didn't give heed to me. What's my mistake?"

"Stop giving excuses. You should have known her interest and done that...you bloody looser."

"Both of you should stop fighting. This is not a time to fight. We should work together. Then, only we can hold our positions," Anjali said.

"Listen... this is not only about your life but also mine. If you make any mistake, I will kill you for sure," Sheetal warned Pramod.

"Just move the coin as per our plan. Nothing will go wrong," Pramod said.

They dispersed, hearing Buaji calling Anjali.

"Go go..." Anjali said and rushed to Buaji.

Khushi headed to her room, thinking about their conversation. What were they talking about? Were they talking about HER? Didn't Pramod fight with Anjali when her wedding with Aman Mathur was fixed? What were they planning? Why did Sheetal say it was about HER LIFE? What did her life do with this issue? Khushi was thoughtful. She decided to talk to Buaji about it after coming from the party. Payal would be expecting her. She should not be late.

Khushi got ready for the party without heavy makeup. She looked gorgeous in light makeup, though. She preferred a lightweight half-saree type lehanga with simple jari work.

She came out of her room and got stuck to see Pramod. He smirked at her and looked at her tip-to-toe. Khushi found it awkward. She walked, looking somewhere. He blocked her way and said,

"Looking ravishing provoking me to ravish..." he whispered.

Khushi looked at him shockingly. Her hands shivered. She rushed to the living room. She saw Sheetal waiting for her, fully ready. She, too, spilt the same smirk as Pramod, looking at her. Khushi didn't understand the meaning of the siblings' smirk.

At the same time, Anjali came with Shali to go to the temple. Seeing Khushi shining in a lehanga with makeup, Shali ran to Khushi and hugged her. Khushi lifted her and kissed her cheek.

"Where are you going?"

"Today is Payal Bua's Birthday. I'm going to the party."

"I will also come..."

Sheetal and Anjali shared a shocking look that confused Khushi. Sheetal gestured for Anjali to take Shali with her.

"Shali, we will go to the temple... come to me."

"No... I want to go to the Birthday Party," Shali said, hugging Khushi's neck.

"No. You will be beaten up if you don't come to me."

"No... I will go with Bua..." She said adamantly.

"I will take you later after going to the temple."

"No... I don't come to the temple. You go..."

Pramod, who came there, snatched Shali from Khushi and gave her to Anjali.

"Leave first..." He said strictly.

Anjali nodded ok and walked hurriedly. Shali started crying like hell, stomping her feet. Khushi rushed to her and stopped her.

"Bhabi, leave her... I will take her to the party. I have no problem." Khushi said.

"But we have..." Anjali said.

"What do you mean?"

"It's my candidature to take her to the temple."

"What's necessary to do it today itself? You can take her next week too..." Buaji came there and heard Shali's scream.

Anjali, Sheetal and Pramod were annoyed.

"From where did this old lady come?" Sheetal gritted her teeth.

"It's ok, Buaji..." Anjali tried to say something.

"What's ok? She is crying. Even God will not accept your candidature. You go to the temple." She snatched the crying Shali from her.

"Don't cry beta... Bua will take you to the party" Buaji gave Shali to Khushi.

Khushi wiped her cheek lovingly. She noticed annoyance in the siblings' faces. She didn't know why. What would their problem be if she took Shali to the party?

"Let's go..."

Khushi walked with Shali, and Sheetal followed her, murmuring something. Anjali looked at her worriedly. Sheetal blinked her eyes, gesturing something. Anjali nodded ok. Khushi was tensed, seeing their gesture. What was there in their minds?

Khushi reached the hotel PARADISE with Sheetal and Shali. Shali became excited to see the colourful lights and balloons.

"But, balloon..." Shali asked, pointing at balloons decorated at the hotel's entrance.

"Later..." Khushi said.

Payal welcomed her, giving her a warm hug. Then she volunteered a smile at Sheetal.

"Hi, baby..." Payal tapped Shali's back.

"Wish Payal Bua on her Birthday," Khushi said.

"Happy birthday..." Shali said.

"Thank you, baby... what do you want?"

"Balloon"

"Oh, you want a balloon? I will give you later. ok?"

Shali was disappointed.

"Please be seated, Khushi. I will just come," Payal said and greeted another guest.

Khushi didn't see Sheetal there. She looked here and there and saw her coming with two glasses of cool drinks. He handed one to Khushi.

"I, too, want it", Shali said.

"Come...I will feed you," Sheetal said.

"I will feed her. You have," Khushi said.

"No, no... no... I will give her," she snatched Shali.

Khushi looked at her weirdly.

"Ok... but why are you snatching her?"

"It has ice... that's why."

"Oh..." Khushi drank the juice.

Sheetal made Shali drink the juice, looking at Khushi with a smirk. Khushi kept the glass on the table. Sheetal was watching her. As she expected, Khushi pressed her head and squeezed her eyes.

"What happened, Khushi?"

"I feel dizzy."

"Dizzy? Come with me..."

"Where?"

"To rest..."

Sheetal lifted her hand, holding Shali in another hand. She put Shali down. She slowly left the party hall and brought Khushi to the corridor, searching for Pramod. She called him, and he attended the call.

"Where are you? I came to the corridor..."

"I'm on the way..."

"Whaaat on the way? What the hell are you doing?"

"My bike is punctured."

Sheetal rolled her eyes.

"Go to hell with your punctured bike."

"I will be there in five minutes... please wait" Pramod disconnected the call.

Sheetal was irritated. She didn't know how long Pramod would take. She was holding swaying Khushi, who was in a semi-conscious state. She might fall anytime, it seemed.

That was when Shali saw the balloons and rushed to the entrance to take them. Sheetal was horrified.

"Shali, don't go... come here!" she shouted, but Shali could not listen to anyone. It seemed that she would not be satisfied until she got the balloon. Without any choice, Sheetal made Khushi lean on the wall and chased Shali.

At the same time, a room service came out of the nearby room. She went without locking it. Khushi slowly moved, holding the wall. The room door was opened. In the force, her legs lost control. She rushed inside and fell on the bed.

To be continued...