Part 18 Reality

Aman was thinking about Khushi and what she said. What she told him was true? He knew Khushi. She worked as a physiotherapist in his hospital. She never looked at his face, even before he proposed to her. After the proposal, she didn't even stand before him... but talked to him today, meeting his eyes daringly. There was no hesitation in her tone. TIME might have changed her, but she could not have spoken like that if she had been guilty. If it was so, who was behind this? Who spiked her drinks? Who were the beneficiaries? Something pricked his heart.

After Khushi had vanished, Shashi brought Sheetal's proposal to him immediately. He said he wanted to do redemption for his loss, but Aman was not ready to marry anyone. He was broken down like hell due to Khushi's betrayal. Yes, he thought so. He was made to believe so. He was told Khushi betrayed him by Khushi's family itself. He was not in the condition of thinking about his marriage. So, he kept denying the proposal, and Guptas nagging him to marry Sheetal.

It had been five years. His mother wanted him to agree to marriage. He finally said yes, and his mother's first choice was Sheetal. It was because of the Guptas. He didn't know why they were so adamant about getting her married to him. They said Sheetal liked him very much. Did she want him after Khushi vanished? Or did she like him BEFORE Khushi left? How did Guptas propose him for Sheetal forthrightly after Khushi left? Aman became thoughtful. Though he didn't finish connecting the dots, he tried to connect them... in the right way.

That was when Aman got a call from his accountant, Armaan. He attended the call.

"Hello, Mr. Armaan..."

"Mr Mathur, as we discussed increasing your hospital income, I have a suggestion."

"Tell me, sir."

"You can get enough income if you sell your hospital Shares."

"Hospital shares? Sir, this is a hospital. Not a company... I'm doing profitless service. You know that..."

"Of course, I know that, but no one. Nowadays, the medical field has become a profitable business. Your shares will be sold out. You can use the money to improve your hospital facilities and help helpless..."

"Do you think it will work?"

"Why not we try?"

Aman sighed.

"Ok, go ahead."

"Done... I will get your hospital into the market."

"Ok, sir", Aman disconnected the call.

He didn't know how much this idea would work. He was a generous doctor who wanted to serve society. However, he could not earn enough money. So, he discussed how to earn money with his accountant and manager. Now, he had an idea.

...........

On the other side, Arnav was also not getting sleep. Khushi was the girl he was searching for. He had been suffering from guilt. That was why he didn't think of getting married. He could not do that with remorse even though he was not at fault. The girl's pleading voice echoed in his ears, not letting him sleep. Now, he got to know who the girl was. He was glad she moved on in her life and got married to someone. However, he wanted to help her to come out of the blame. He had to know about her to do that. He wanted to know how her husband was. Though Khushi accepted him as her friend and started moving with him without hesitation, she did not begin to share her issues with him. So, he could not ask her about her past, which might have annoyed her. Aashi was the right person to ask about Khushi's husband. Aashi should have known about her FATHER. Knowing from her would not be a challenging task. She would tell him if he tricked her. He knew how to do that.

The next day / Saturday

Since morning, Arnav was nervously waiting for Khushi... especially for Aashi. He didn't go to the office that day. It was not significant. He had more important work than going to the office. Of course, Khushi would ask him why he did not go to the office. He thought of an apt excuse and got ready to lie.

He heard a calling bell. He ran to the door and opened it widely. Seeing Khushi prickled his heart.

"Hi, Arnav..." Khushi said, smiling brightly.

Arnav felt terrible for her. he stood looking at her.

"Hello, Arnav... what happened?"

Arnav plastered a smile and gave them space to enter.

"Do you have an office holiday today?" Aashi asked.

"No beta... I have a headache," he said, pressing his head.

"Mom, give him medicine," She said, looking at Khushi.

"Have a strong coffee instead of medicine..." Khushi said.

Arnav nodded with a smile.

"What is Dadi doing?" Aashi asked.

"She is waiting for your mom."

"Doesn't she wait for me?" Aashi asked, pouting.

Arnav was stuck. If Aashi had gone to Ratna's room, how would he have inquired about her father?

"She waited for you too, but suddenly she felt dizzy."

"Is it?" Khushi asked, panicking.

Arnav winked at her and nodded, not making her wonder. She looked at him with confusion.

"Aashi beta, what else can I do to relieve my headache?" Arnav asked as if she was a big girl, and Khushi smiled.

"You can press your head", Aashi suggested.

"But, how can I press my head on my own?" Arnav asked, making a sad face.

Khushi chuckled softly. She knew Arnav liked Aashi and wanted to spend time with her, and Aashi also liked Arnav, so she let her be with him.

"Aashi, See, Mr. Puzzle is suffering from a headache. Why not you help him?" Khushi asked.

"Shall I press your head?" She asked cutely.

"Will you?"

"Hannn...I know to press head... am I right, Mom?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Thank you so much," Arnav said.

"Aashi, don't trouble him," Khushi said smilingly, headed to Ratna's room.

Arnav looked at Aashi.

"What should I do, Ms. Smile?"

"Sit on the couch" She tapped the sofa.

Arnav sat on the couch smiling. His smile broadened when Aashi pressed his forehead with her soft, tiny fingers. He didn't feel any difference. It felt like someone was rolling a cotton roll on his forehead.

"Aashi baby... I don't know, you are so sweet. How beautifully you press my forehead! It feels so good."

"Thanks..." She said, biting her lip with a slight blush.

"Your Dad is a lucky man. You would have pressed his head many times. Right?" Arnav asked.

"No, Nanne Dad never asked me to press his head."

"Nanne? You said your father's name is Nandkishor..."

"Mom calls him Nanne."

"Oh..." Arnav's tone lowered.

So, Aashi's father's name was Nandkishor.

"What will you do with your Dad?"

"I play with my Nanne Dad until Khushi Mom comes home."

"Will not your Dad ask you to press his head?" Arnav asked, feeling distraught because if Aashi hadn't pressed his head, it must have been Khushi who had done that.

"No, La Mom would press his head."

Arnav looked at her jerking.

"La Mom? Who is that?"

"She is Khushi Mom's friend, just like Nanne Dad."

"Friend?"

"Yes, they are friends."

"Isn't Nandkishor your mother's husband?"

"Khushi Mom has no husband."

Arnav was perplexed. Khushi had no husband? What did that mean? If Khushi had no husband, who would Aashi be? Was she Khushi's adopted child? Or did she divorce her husband?

Something hit his mind brutally. Or...was Aashi HIS child? Was there any chance for it? Was that even possible in a SINGLE ATTEMPT? He gulped down hard.

Arnav became restless. He looked at Aashi, who was pressing his head cutely. How would it feel if this cute angel were his daughter? His eyes threw up. Holding her hand, he kissed it.

"Enough... your palms should be aching..." he said.

He waited for Khushi restlessly. When Arnav saw Khushi coming, he composed himself and laughed, looking at Khushi.

"What happened, Arnav? Did Aashi do anything funny?"

"Yeah... she said she has two Moms" he again laughed.

Khushi looked at Aashi.

"Mom, Isn't La Mom is also my Mom?"

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"Does Mr Nandkishor have two wives?" Arnav asked hesitatingly.

Khushi chuckled.

"No, Nadukishor is my friend, not my husband."

Arnav became hopeful.

"Oh... Doesn't Aashi know your husband?"

"I have no husband. I'm a single mother," Khushi said plainly.

"That means Aashi doesn't know about her father?"

"She doesn't know because no one called her father..."

Arnav gulped down hard. She was not ready to talk about Aashi's father. That stated Aashi's father was someone she didn't want to REMEMBER... that was HIM. He felt heaviness in his heart. This was unexpected. He didn't expect Khushi to be the girl he was searching for... he didn't expect the cute girl who called him Mr. Puzzle to be HIS daughter.

He didn't know if he could ask her more about her husband. She might think differently. So, he didn't want to dig it more, which could have irritated Khushi. He didn't want to irritate her. He could not do it. Arnav looked at Khushi and Aashi with mixed emotions. REALITY hit him badly. He didn't know what to do.

To be continued...