Part 16 Arnav's Approach

Khushi jerked, hearing,

*Khushiiiiii*

They saw Shashi standing wrathfully. Yet, Arnav's clutch on her hand didn't get dropped. Khushi's eyes got to tear up instantly. She was standing, shivering. Tears rolled down on her cheek in fear.

Shashi reached them, taking a very few long steps, and raised his hand to slap Khushi. As he didn't expect, Arnav stood from the bed and held his hand making Shashi more frustrated.

To the father and the daughter's surprise,

*Khushi, you go...* Arnav said.

Shashi looked at him stunned. How dare he? Khushi also was thunderstruck.

*Khushi, I said go...* it was indeed an order but sounded soft which made Shashi perplexed.

Khushi ran from there crying. Arnav left Shashi's hand, looking at his face sternly. There was no repentance on his face as he didn't think what he did is wrong.

*This is what your gratitude, Arnav? This is what you give me in return for saving your life? * Shashi asked.

*Did you saved my life, expecting something in return, Sir? * Arnav questioned him and Shashi was bowled over.

*What's wrong I did, Sir? Is loving Khushi a criminal offense or what? I love her... I would like to marry her... what's wrong with that? Won't you get your daughter married to someone? Won't you be happy if she gets a good life partner? * Arnav fired continuous questions without hesitation.

*Good life partner...? Who Arnav? Is that you? * Shashi asked sarcastically yet angrily.

*Of course, yes... It's me...* Arnav said with his head up.

*Who are you? Where do you belong to? What family yours is? What are you doing? What do you have for yourself? * Shashi shot.

*I feel proud of you, sir... at the same time, I pity you...* Arnav said steadily.

Shashi looked at him gulping his anger. What does that mean? Why does he talk unrelated?

*You would have got to know who I'm and what background I have... if you had done something the day when you found me in the forest...*

Arnav looked at the shelf where Khushi kept his purse.

*Could you do something for me? * Arnav asked.

Shashi said nothing but glare at Arnav.

*I didn't even touch my purse... it is there. Take my purse and check it. You will get to know who I'm* Arnav said confidently.

*Are you a police officer? * Shashi asked.

Arnav nodded no smilingly.

*Then? Are you a RAW officer? *

*Why are you so frustrated sir? Can't you just do the simple thing for your daughter's future? *

*What do you mean, Daughter's future? Who are you to decide what she wants? * Shashi was not calming himself.

*I can decide, sir because only I know what she wants... I know she loves me...*

Shashi was about to say something,

*Sir, you can ask me anything and tell me your point after seeing my purse*

*What's there in your purse that you are talking about so confidently? *

Arnav said nothing but smiled mildly.

Shashi walked to the self and took the plastic cover in which Khushi secured Arnav's purse. Shashi pulled the purse out of the cover and threw the cover on the floor. He opened it and saw a few CARDS and a bunch of two hundred currency notes in it. Taking a card among them, Shashi gave a look and his eyes went wide open. It was Arnav's Driving License. The name Arnav Singh Raizada shook Shashi to the core. He removed another card and it was his Adhar Card. Shashi lifted his head and looked at Arnav with an unbelievable expression.

*Are...you... are you Arnav Singh Raizada...? The one who Khushi wants to work with? * Shashi asked with a shocking expression.

*You have all the authorized documents of mine... still, won't you believe it, sir? Yes... I'm Arnav Singh Raizada...*

Shashi again looked at them.

*But, Khushi didn't tell us anything about you...*

*She doesn't know who I'm...* Arnav said calmly.

*Doesn't she know? What do you mean? *

*Yes, Sir. I didn't tell her*

*But why? *

*She would not have accepted my proposal if she had known who I'm... that's what Khushi, Sir. She would never have given me a chance to be near her if she had known I'm ASR. That's why I didn't tell her the truth. And I like to be treated normally which never happened to me before *

Shashi was looking at him shockingly. What kind of man he is...!

*But... why Khushi? *

*Khushi is a good girl sir. She has values and dreams. I liked all her qualities. Even after being in this small village, she didn't shell herself but studied well. A woman who can be an example to others can achieve anything. I want to be a reason for her dreams to come true. And more than anything, I feel happy if she is in front of me. I want her to be with me... please don't say NO sir...*

Shashi swallowed hard. He didn't know what to say. He couldn't believe the man who is standing in front of him is none other than Arnav Singh Raizada... who is the inspiration of not only his daughter but many youngsters...

*Khushi has huge respect on you... I mean on Arnav Singh Raizada. Do you know that? * Shashi asked.

*I got to know that the same day I got my consciousness back. And I got to know you guys didn't even touch my purse... she was upset with me. Because of me, you didn't take her to Delhi to give an interview which was held in AR...*

*Yet, you didn't feel to tell her who you are? *

*She scolded me for having her costly mush... and fought with Garima aunty for giving it to me... I liked it because no one scolded me ever in my life. No one dare to scold Arnav Singh Raizada... I liked it... I think that is the quality a wife needs...* Arnav chuckled and Shashi couldn't resist laughing.

*Are you angry with us, Sir? *

*I'm supposed to... but I really don't know how to react to it... I never thought ASR can be so simple...*

*I'm, Sir... but people masked me forcefully and created a rude image... I want to be real at least with my wife and her family... I hope you understand...*

Shashi sighed.

*Would your family accept Khushi? *

*They will... they won't be a hindrance to my wish. I will bring them to ask Khushi's hand formally...*

Shashi nodded yes.

*And I have a condition...* Shashi said.

*What's that sir? Do you want me to plant trees in your village and also in the forest? * Arnav asked smilingly.

Shashi rolled his eyes.

*No wonder if you are a top most businessman...* Shashi laughed.

*I will plant one lac trees before our marriage...* Arnav said.

*Thank you so much, Arnav*

Shashi was about to go, he stopped.

*Do you want me to continue your HIDE and SEEK or ...* Shashi asked.

*Please don't say anything to Khushi...*

*When will you tell her? After the marriage? *

*No, sir...She will get to know after she reaches AR*

*You are fixed it seems...*

*Yes, sir. Let her do the job in AR for a few days. She will get confidence... *

*Where will she stay? *

*In Raizada Mansion...*

* won't your family get dissatisfied with us? *

*I will take care of them, uncle...*

*Khushi is a sensitive girl. She gets hurt easily...*

*I know sir... she is my responsibility*

Shashi nodded yes and left the place with satisfaction. Arnav huffed in relief. Finally, he got his father-in-law's permission officially.

Shashi came to the next house where Khushi was sitting at the corner, circling her knees crying. She raised her head, seeing Shashi who was standing close to her.

*I'm sorry, Babuji...* she said spilling tears.

*You don't have to be here anymore...* he said sternly.

Khushi stood on her feet jerking.

*Babuji, please don't say like that... * she cried more.

*I said what I have to... you no need to be here anymore... go to Delhi and do the job*

*Babuji...* Khushi was about to say something but stopped understanding his words.

She looked at him dumbfounded. Shashi smiled.

*I like him...* he said.

Khushi threw herself on her father and cried.

*What is this...? Will you cry for everything...? You cried when I got angry... and I said, I like him, now also you cry... *

*Thank you Babuji...*

*Arnav wants to take you to Delhi. I'm happy that you got a life partner who is going to make your dreams true...*

Khushi smiled delightedly.

To be continued...

The next chapter is available on INKITT

The local Culprit

Khushi could notbelieve her father agreed to the marriage and he is also ready to send her toDelhi to do a job in AR. But how did it happen? What did Arnav tell him that hewas so much ok with that? It's ok if he is fine with the marriage and asked towork for Arnav. But, how did he let her work in AR? How did Arnav make itpossible?