Part 6 Stunning Ratna

Khushi was confused. What did the name Arnav do in her grandmother's prayer? Was ARNAV the one who took place in her grandmother's secret prayer? Why did she pray for someone called Arnav? Who was Arnav to her grandmother? Something kicked her mind. Was this the same Arnav who was studying in her class? She tried to connect the dots. Did her grandmother have a connection with Arnav? The much she knew, her grandmother hadn't come to Ooty ever before. She never talked about it to Khushi.

Something clicked in Khushi's mind. They were in Coimbatore when Khushi was ten years old. It was just three hours ride from Ooty. Was her grandmother related to CBM? Khushi strongly doubted because ARNAV was not a common name like, Raj, Rahul and Rohit. Arnav was a RARE name. She didn't hear it ever before even though she was a north Indian. If it was not CBM, then who was Arnav? She looked at the paper in her hand. It seemed ARNAV would always be confusion to her. She remembered something. She kept it in the box back under Devi Maiya's feet and run to the store room. She searched for her granny's box in which her diary being kept. She didn't find it in the room because Shashi asked the workers to keep it away from Khushi's reach. So, they kept it in the LOFT and hid it keeping other boxes before of that. So, Khushi could not see the box. She sighed wearily.

On the other side,

Ratna was sitting on the bed, not getting sleep. She was thinking about Khushi. She had never seen anyone talking to Arnav so casually as Khushi did. Arnav didn't let it happen ever. She knew a few girls liked Arnav and proposed to him too but they didn't dare talk to him like Khushi did. What surprised her more was Arnav's REACTION to her behavior. He had never let anyone come close to him, forget about letting them touch him. She could not believe he was so submissive to Khushi that too, to the extent of letting her touch him... addressed him as her BOYFRIEND.

What was there in Arnav's mind? She knew him. He was not like this. He cut off the girls immediately who tried to get close to him. Khushi said she was behind him for the notes. If he was really annoyed with her, he should have cut her off by giving her notes, or, by slapping her. He didn't do it. Why? Did he intentionally make her roam behind him? Did he do this to get her attention? What did that mean? Did he like her?

More than everything, the smile she saw on his face after Khushi ran from the place. How blissful a sight it was! Being his mother, she longed to see the smile that he lost many years ago. Did he like her? She again thought.

Arvind, who was tossed in his sleep, saw Ratna sitting on the bed.

"Ratna, haven't you slept yet?"

"I could not sleep"

"Why? Are you alright?" he sat on the bed.

"I'm thinking about Chotte"

"About Chotte?"

"Mmm... I saw a difference in him today."

"What do you mean?"

"Chotte didn't get angry with Khushi"

Arvind was silent.

"This is the first time, I saw him being patient with the girl even after she crossed her limits. She blocked his way, she pulled his shirt, she threatened him, called him boyfriend but he was quiet"

"Did she do all of these with him?"

"Yes, neither was he annoyed nor did he get angry. At the same time, stay stable with no expression... but as I didn't expect, he SMILED when she ran"

"Whaaaaat? Smiled?" he too was surprised.

"Yes... he smiled. I think he likes her...! I'm sure that..."

Cutting her,

"No, Ratna, no. Don't even think about it. She is SP's daughter."

"But, she is also a GIRL! I'm sure Chotte likes her. That's why he is intentionally not giving her notes"

"What do you mean? He likes her, that's why he doesn't give her notes?"

"Yes... it's because he wants her attention. If he gives her notes, she will stop roaming behind him and stop talking to him. That's why he is not giving her notes..."

"I think you are unnecessarily exaggerating things..."

"Do you think I will do that? Don't we know Chotte? I saw his smile after so many years. If he likes the girl, what will you do as a father?"

Arvind was stuck dumb.

"Didn't you say, we should not do anything going against his wish? What will you do to fulfill his wish?"

"This is not about Chotte's wish... this is two-way traffic... she too has feelings and emotions. What about that? She has a very high status. She was brought up with a high-level reputation. Do you think she will accept Chotte? We should not force anyone. You know that. So, don't think anything beyond our limit and raise your expectations. It's not good for us"

Arvind saw the disappointment in Ratna's face.

"Sleep Ratna... I have to go to the office tomorrow" he said.

Ratna lay thinking about Arvind's words. He was not wrong. They didn't get sleep for long but thinking about Arnav and Khushi.

The next day

Arvind went to the office to complete his work. Ratna prepared better food for lunch as Arvind would come home to eat. Completing the preparation, she waited for him with Arnav.

They heard a calling bell sound. Ratna was about to go, but Arnav stopped her and went to open the door. He slid the curtain and saw Arvind standing. When he opened the door, Khushi looked at him, peeping her head, who was standing behind Arvind. Arnav was stunned to see her with his father. Arvind saw a lightening effect on Arnav's face for a few seconds and then it became normal.

"I don't come here for your notes but to get aunt's forgiveness," She said.

Arnav walked inside, without welcoming her. She didn't expect him to welcome her though.

Ratna was surprised and excited to see her.

"Hi..." she smiled.

"I'm sorry aunty... I spoke too much with you" she said clutching her ears.

"It's ok, beta... I don't take it seriously"

"Are you serious?"

"No... I'm not serious"

"No no... I mean, you are not seriously serious about my behavior?"

Ratna nodded yes smiling.

"She wanted to apologize to you for her behavior. That's why she came here nagging me. I told her you won't take it seriously but she was not ready to listen to me" Arvind smiled.

Khushi nodded yes.

"I forgot it right away" Ratna smiled.

"You are so sweet" Khushi smiled making Ratna smile.

"Sit... I will bring you something to drink..."

"I came at lunchtime. Won't you serve me lunch?" Khushi asked rightfully.

"Sure..." Ratna chuckled.

"I like your house very much. This is looking like a dream house..."

"Is it?"

"Yeah... who won't like WOOD HOUSE? But this house is far away from the nearby village. Being aloof from the village is not uncomfortable?"

Ratna and Arvind looked at Arnav contently who was not looking at them.

"We used to it, beta" Arvind said.

"Should agree, this place is so pleasant and so heartwarming. I will stay here for my whole life if you allow me" she said excitedly.

"You can stay here if you want," Ratna said.

"Don't think I just said that just like that...I will surely come with my belongings to stay here" she chuckled.

"I'm seriously saying," Said Ratna seriously looking at Arnav who was looking down.

"The rose garden in your house is so beautiful. I like roses very much"

"You can take roses if you like them..."

"No aunty... I didn't mean it. By the way, how are you maintaining the huge garden?"

"As the Ooty climate is so pleasant, the rose plants don't need much maintenance. Sometimes, Chotte... I mean, Arnav maintains the garden. He likes plants..."

"Really...? I can't believe this...! I think he talks only with plants..." Khushi chuckled.

Arnav looked at her raising his eyelash, whereas Arvind and Ratna spared a glance.

"See, how he looks...! I doubt if your Chotte talks to you..." Khushi laughed.

Ratna also smiled.

"Shall I look at your house?" Khushi requested.

"Sure... Come"

Ratna took her to the kitchen, whereas Arvind and Arnav stayed in the living room.

"You maintain it neatly, aunty"

Ratna smiled.

"Would you do all the work on yourself?"

"Yeah, we just are three. There won't be much work"

They walked to the next room.

"The land around your house is yours?"

"Mmm"

"How are you maintaining this huge place?"

"Workers will come every ten days to clean the place"

"I heard uncle is a loyal police. How would you manage this kind of extra expenses?" she asked teasingly.

"We have a tea estate"

"Is it?" she wondered.

"Yeah, Arnav's great-grandfather was a rich man. He bought an estate when he settled down in Ooty"

"Oh... that's great..."

Khushi stood at the entrance of the room, seeing a bed there.

"Is this your room?"

"Chotte's room"

"Ohhhh...it's looking nice" She became excited and entered.

"His old notes are on this shelf. You can take the notes you need. I will manage him" said Ratna.

"No Aunty. I didn't come here for the notes"

"Maybe, but you need them..."

"That's ok Aunty. I'm copying Arnav's latest notes when the professors teach us. His notes are simple. I can manage with them, I suppose"

"But, how did you get his latest notes? Did he give it to you?"

"He and giving me notes? He didn't even welcome me seeing me at your doorstep..." She chuckled.

Ratna was embarrassed.

"I'm copying them because I'm sitting next to him on his bench"

Ratna was stunned.

"Whaaaat? Are you sitting on HIS bench?"

She almost shouted. She could not believe her son gave space to Khushi to sit with him on his bench.

To be continued...

Note: The next two updates are available on INKITT.