Part 14 Proposal Accepted

RM

Anjali was not eating anything. She was continuously crying, lying on Nani's lap, in Nani's room. Shyam came there.

"Rani Sahiba please have something..." Shyam pleaded.

Anjali didn't respond.

"Rani Sahiba... Please listen to me... don't spoil your health. Sale Sahib will be alright."

Anjali stood from Nani's lap.

"How will he be alright? It's everything because of you and your sister... because of her, my Chotte lost interest in staying home... Because of her, he came home in the late nights... Because of her, he went to Nainital to stay away from her peacefully... You are selfish... you tried to use the situation in your favor. You tried to use Chotte's love for me in your favor... You killed my Chotte..." she screamed.

Shyam stood all stunned.

"I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to see your face... I hate you for whatever you did... I should not have fallen in love with you. That's the biggest mistake of my life... You thought we are your slave... You took my love for granted. Just because I loved you, my Chotte was silent. If I would have said a single word, you and your sister would have vanished by now... " she shouted like a maniac.

Shyam stood with teary eyes. Yes, he acted a fool in Arnav's matter for his sister. Anjali was not wrong. Sheetal was behind Arnav asking him to accept her.

Shyam looked at Nani whose expression was stony. She was not even tried to defend him. So everyone's thinking was the same in RM... no difference. Nani's expression revealed it to Shyam.

"Naniji, I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry Damadji... You have disappointed us a lot... Your sister forgot her limits and you never cared about it... Our Chotte tolerated you for his sister... He is the real brother...but you...?"

Shyam came to his room with a heavy heart. Sheetal who entered RM saw him going to his room. She followed him. Shyam looked at her plainly.

" I need to talk to you Shyam," she said.

" Tell me "

" I have doubt on Aman"

" Doubt on Aman? What doubt do you have? "

" I think he knows about Arnav"

Shyam was silently looking at her.

" He should have known where ASR is..."

" How do you say? "

"I have been observing Aman's gestures. At first, he was nervous after he returned from Nainital, he looks relaxed. What does that mean? ASR is alive somewhere and he knew it"

"Is it...?"

" That's all how you react? "

" Then how do you want me to react? "

" Ask Aman about him... "

" Why? "

" What do you mean why?"

" I don't want to interfere in something which I'm not certain..."

" Don't you trust my words?"

" Why are you showing interest in this matter? Who are you to interfere in this matter?"

" What are you asking Shyam? Should not I show courtesy to the family? Don't I have any rights in this family?"

" No... you have no rights in this family... in fact, I too don't have rights..."

" You are talking irresponsibly..."

" You stop poking your nose in this family matter thinking yourself responsible, Sheetal... "

" What happened to you? Why are you talking like this? "

" Do you know what People talking about you and me? A few people directly talking on my face that because of you Arnav eloped from RM... Yes, you tortured him a lot, Sheetal... will you say no? How many times have I warned you to keep your distance from him? Have you ever listened to me? See what happened now... Arnav went to Nainital even after Aman warned him... because he didn't like to stay home because of you..."

"I love him..."

" Shut up Sheetal... Do you know what is love? It should chase you even after you said no... it should not run away from you...ever. Arnav ran away from not only you but from everyone. You made him do that. This is not love... It can't be love..."

" I just tried to make him understand... "

"How...? You tortured him to death... that's why he dared to meet death... you've made him thought that death is better than you..."

Sheetal tried to say something. Shyam stopped her showing his palm.

" Look at Rani Sahiba... She is not at all talking to me... She thinks I am useless who could not control his sister... you created a rift between us... Because of you, this family lost his peace...but you have no regret in your heart..."

"Shyam..."

Some joined his hands.

" Please stay away from everything related to the family... "

Sheetal turned to leave,

" You will see the worst side of mine if you torture Aman to know about Arnav. I won't spare you. Understand that."

Sheetal left the room. Shyam sat on the bed joining his fingers. He was so disturbed by the recent happenings. Someone tried to kill Arnav. As Sheetal said, if Arnav is alive, this family will get its charm back. If Arnav does something, he must have a reason. If he is alive, it's more than enough... He thought.

Nainital

It had been four days... Arnav started walking. He was much better now. He walked better and felt better. The pain in his leg had been lessening a little by little. He felt it. Though he could walk on his own he didn't do it. He couldn't take Khushi's help if he admitted his ability. So, he pretended like he couldn't. should mention the progress of their relationship also grew gradually. Khushi spoke with Arnav freely. Arnav utilized the chance and asked her about many things. Both of them felt their growing attachment clearly.

Arnav waited for Khushi. She came with Shashi as Arnav's dressing had to be changed. Arnav kept silent, letting them do their work. Shashi stuffed a few herbal power mixtures on his leg and hand and tied them with a strong white cloth. Then he applied black gram power and egg white mixture on the white cloth. So that the mixture will keep the broken bones tight and stable.

"This is the last dressing...after this dressing is removed, you can go home... you will be here maximum of ten days..." Shashi smiled.

Arnav also smiled but Khushi's expression changed. Her eyes became teary. She hid it turning to the opposite side. But Arnav noticed it before she did that. He smiled inwardly. She feels sad for leaving him. he felt elated about it.

*Khushi, give him medicines...* Shashi said.

Khushi nodded ok.

Shashi left the place.

*Why are you crying? * Arnav asked.

*I don't cry...* she said looking somewhere.

*Don't lie...*

*I'm not lying...* she didn't look at him.

*Are you feeling bad to let me go? *

*Why would I...? * she choked.

*Khushi...* Arnav called.

Khushi turned opposite to him. Arnav tried to get up and hissed.

*What happened? * Khushi rushed to him and checked his leg.

Arnav touched her cheek and felt wet.

*Don't you cry? * He asked.

She tried to get up but Arnav pressed her shoulder.

*Your lips have not admitted what you feel for me but your eyes couldn't hide your feelings from me...*

Khushi bit her lip and spilled tears.

*This is why I don't want to love you... I know one day this will happen...*

*Did it happen? * he asked smilingly.

*Are you going? * she asked him not answering his question.

Arnav nodded yes. Khushi again tried to get up and Arnav again pressed her shoulder.

*I will go... with you... I won't go alone...*

*I can't believe this...*

*You have to... only ten days left... you will see me doing that*

*will you... really do that? *

*Yes...*

He wiped her cheek.

*You have not even accepted my proposal yet but you want me to take you with me... this is just unbelievable...*

*Go... you know everything. Yet... you talk like you know nothing*

*What I know, Khushi? *

*Don't you know I like you? *

*I know but I don't know whether you LOVE me*

She smiled with a cute blush.

*Do you? *

She rushed out smilingly.

*Khushi...* Arnav called.

Khushi looked at him turning around.

*Tell me...*

*You know that...* she ran giggling, leaving delighted Arnav.

To be continued...

The next part is available on INKITT

Bewildering turn

After Khushi's confession, Arnav felt relieved. He was damn happy and thinking about how to take Khushi to Delhi with him. At the same time, he wanted to finish the biggest task which tried to take his breath away. He has to find the killer who targeted him.