Part 2

“What the hell is this message Pavan?”

“Sorry sir... but this is the address our men saw Khushi mam”

“Are you sure? I’m going to inform ASR about this. If it is wrong address you have to face his wrath. I’m not responsible. I’m giving you a chance. Do you want to cross check this once?”

“No sir… I'm confident, this is the address. You can inform ASR”

“Fine” with that Aman dropped the call ‘How can I tell ASR about this? I don't think he can take this news normally. It hurts him badly. Sorry ASR... I’m spoiling your day with this news. Please God... help me to support Arnav in his bad times. Give him strength to digest the reality’ thought Aman praying silently for his friend and left to his room.

“ASR... ASR...”

Arnav’s just-got-into-sleep disturbed with Aman’s hard knock on the door. He sat up with a jerk, got down the bed and opened the door hoping to know about Khushi.

“Any news about Khushi?” Arnav asked hurriedly.

“ASR...”

“What is it Aman... why aren’t you saying anything? Didn’t you find anything about Khushi? Is she fine?”

“ASR... first let me talk. Relax... yes... our men found Khushi ma’am address. You first get ready and meet me at parking, and then we will leave for the place. I have to make some calls. Don't take much time” saying this Aman left from there.

Arnav rushed to take bath and get ready. He left the hotel along with Aman, to meet his life – Khushi.

“Aman... Khushi is fine, right?” he doesn’t know why but he is feeling some negative thoughts overcoming his mind.

“Relax ASR... first let’s meet her. Everything will be fine”

“Hmm...”

*************************

Tillary Street Women's Shelter

“Street Women's Shelter? Why did you bring me here? What’s this place to do with Khushi?”

“ASR... this is the place where some people saw her. Our men enquired a lot about this and informed me.”

“No... NO... NO... she can’t be here. She shouldn’t be here. She deserves much better place Aman. No... I’m damn sure our idiots got wrong address. What Khushi will do in homeless shelters? She should be with Shyam in their house. She can’t be here. No...NO...” he is terrified to see the place, where Khushi is living supposedly – as per their men.

“ASR... Please control yourself”

“But Aman... How can she be here? Are you sure this is the address Aman?” asked Arnav with a thudding heart. He couldn’t understand what Khushi would do here.

“ASR... First let’s see the news correct or not. Let me ask the people about Khushi ma’am then we will know the truth. Please... control yourself” They went to the office room asked them about Khushi, showing her picture.

“Excuse me... Can I get any details of this girl? Did you see her before” asked Aman.

“Oh... Khushi... Of course we know her... She lives here only. In fact our manager changed the rule for her seeing her in this condition. She is such a sweetheart... But wait a minute. Who are you? How do you know her?” the lady enquired back, giving them more than required information

Arnav sat on nearby couch with a thud, unable to believe the news. ‘Khushi is here? In a... In a... Homeless shelter?’ he thought.

“We are her friends from college. Yesterday we saw her on the road. But we couldn't meet her due to some reasons. We just want to meet her. Can you give her details?”

“Are you Arnav?” suddenly one lady asked Aman. Hearing his name Arnav got alert and went to that lady.

“I’m Arnav. How did you know about me?”

“I know her from last 5 months. I never heard her talking about anyone other than her husband and you. She is really missing you.” both Arnav and Aman looked at each other in confusion.

“From 5 months? What about her family?” asked Aman.

“We don't know anything about her personal matters. But, from last 5 months she is staying here. When our manager came to know that she is pregnant, she told Khushi to not wait in the queue for the bed, thinking it will help her to come here without hurry. She comes late night from her work. I think you saw her when she is coming back from her work.”

Arnav don’t want to hear anything more. It’s killing him to know her life here in a homeless shelter. She shouldn’t live on the mercy. She deserves more happiness. He couldn't digest this horrible truth.

“Can you give her work details? Please... we will take care of her from now. I don't know why she didn’t inform me about her condition”

“Hmm... She wants to save her money for her delivery– same as she is saving money by not using transport. I think that’s the reason not to call you” said the shelter lady while writing Khushi’s work address

“Then how she comes here from her work?” asked Aman getting ready to hear the worst.

“By walk...” said the lady with tears in her eyes

“What?!” shouted the friends.

“Aman... I can’t tolerate this anymore. Let’s find our Khushi and will take her from here. Please Aman... I can’t see her in this state. She deserves happiness Aman. Please take me to her” he almost begged his friend by kneeling down in front of everyone. He is not giving any damn to anything that time. Khushi is more important to him than anything. He requested Aman to take him to Khushi. Everyone there can see the unconditional love of this man. Everybody’s eyes got moistened. Aman pulled Arnav up and hugged him tightly.

“Don't worry Arnav... we will find her. We will take care of her. It’s my promise to you. Please don't lose your control. I can tolerate arrogant and ruthless ASR, but not this weak Arnav. Please control yourself” Aman tried to lighten the situation.

Arnav looked at Aman with so many questions in his eyes. Aman sighed deeply and said “See Arnav, we already found that Khushi ma’am is staying here. And also we got her work address. We can and we will find her. Don’t worry. Trust me”

“What if we miss her? What if we both leave at the same time? What if she already left from there when we reach there?”

“Arnav... relax...”

“Don't worry sir... if she comes here, I will give you a call. Just leave your number with me” said shelter’s lady.

Both Arnav and Aman thanked her for her courtesy. They left from there after leaving their numbers with the lady.

***************

They couldn’t believe what they are seeing. ‘This is the worst day of my life’ both Arnav and Aman thought. When they asked one man about Khushi, he showed them one petite figure doing something at the racks with her back facing to them. She is looking very thin. By seeing her from back itself anyone can say that, she is not at all in a fine condition. Both looked at each other. Aman nodded his head and whispered “Go Arnav... she needs you... she needs your support”

Nodding his head he about to walk but stopped seeing her turning back.

Khushi felt some well known touch in air. She can feel him in this air. ‘Arnav’ she whispered. Her breathing increased. Suddenly she was feeling suffocated in the room. She knew Arnav is here. She wants to go to him. She wants to see him. It’s already a long time. She can’t wait more to meet him. She turned back to search him but stopped in her place seeing the dearest person in this world Infront of her eyes.. Her eyes showed all the emotions – shock, surprise, happiness, helplessness, weakness, sadness, loneliness, love, affection, anger and everything.

She looked into his eyes to find the love and hurt. She can also see a hint of anger in those dark brown eyes. A small smile appeared on her lips knowing her friend’s anger. He is one person in this world, who will get angry in a fraction of second. All the time they spent together in their college days came in front of her eyes. She remembered how possessive he was about her. He not even trusted Shyam that time – when they confessed their love to him. He was, he is and he will be the best friend anyone can get. Her tears are not stopping. Her cheeks drained completely with her tears.

He wants to go to her and hug her to remove all her tensions and make her relax in his embrace. He can see how she is struggling to compose herself, control herself from crying. Other than him, who can understand her?  He also knew that she wants to come to him. Maybe her legs are not helping her as his.

They never felt this weak before. Unable to control her feelings, she leaned onto the rack beside her and cried. She sat down feeling her legs giving up.

“Arnav...” she whispered.

When he saw her, leaning on rack and sitting down, he rushed to her to take her in his arms

“Pari...” he hugged her tightly “Pari... I’m sorry... I’m sorry dear... forgive me for not being with you when you needed me. I’m sorry...” his eyes gave up all the sorrow, wait, guilt for not finding her at right time and missing her, in the form of tears.

She hugged him tightly and cried her heart out. Arnav looked at their surroundings to see the people staring at them. He controlled himself and helped her to stand. He nodded his head to Aman to complete the remaining things. Aman smiled at him knowing the meaning of his nod. When he is about to walk out with her, he heard a voice,

“Who are you? Where are you taking her? Her working hours are not yet finished?”

“No... She will not work here anymore. Go and check with your manager. I’m taking my friend with me and that’s final.” Saying this he makes her walk slowly, not troubling her much. She looked at him confusedly gaining a small smile in return.

He made her sit nearby couch. When he saw Aman coming towards him, he tried to stand but was stopped by a tug on his shirt. He looked at Khushi. He can see the fear, restlessness and seeking help in her eyes. Unable to bear the look in her eyes, he sat with her on the couch. He hugged her by side as assuring her that she has him. Khushi isn’t in her senses to observe her surroundings to know what’s happening around her. She is scared to lose her one and only support in this world. She tightened her hold on his shirt. Arnav patted her cheeks saying “Shh... Pari relax... I’m here with you. Don’t worry. You aren’t alone anymore. You have me. Relax...” he can feel her relaxing with his words.

“ASR... everything is done. We can leave now”

“Sorry sir... we don't know that she is your friend. Sorry for making her work here. Aman sir told everything and the matter was settled. You can take her with you” she heard her manager saying.

Khushi heard her manager and some other person talking with her friend. But she is not in a state to concentrate on other matters. Her friend’s supporting and secured embrace is the thing she needed for now. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes to believe what was happening is not a dream. She indeed has her friend with her.

“Aman...”

“Yeah ASR... I took all the required documents which states that ma'am is free and the no objection certificate from him” Aman showed all the documents to Arnav.

Arnav cross checked all the things and nodded.

“Pari... let’s move” saying this he helped her to the outside to drive to his home. He occupied in back seat along with Khushi making her comfortable where Aman took the steering.

“Aman, arrange an appointment with best gynaecologist in this city as early as possible. I don't want any late in that. I don't want Pari to wait anymore.”

“Sure ASR...” he smiled seeing the possessive ASR.

Both looked at Khushi who is in non responsive mode. She is cuddling into his arms to seek solace.

“Pari... Are you ok? Do you need anything?” but he didn't get any response from her. They can still see tears in her eyes. Aman and Arnav looked at each other. Both tensed seeing her in this condition. Aman passed an assuring look at Arnav hoping everything will be fine. Arnav nodded his head and to divert her mind he introduced Aman, shocking him to the core

“Pari... he is Aman... my friend” introduced Arnav

Khushi looked at the person, but not leaving her hold on Arnav’s shirt.

“Namaste ma’am”

“Ji Namaste” she whispered. “But please... I will be glad if you call me Khushi” she said again after a pause. Arnav knew this request will come from her. A small smile adored his face.

Aman looked at Arnav for permission from the rear mirror. Aman sighs in relief after getting permission and smiled at Khushi nodding his head.

“Sure Khushi... But ASR... I never expected you to introduce me as your friend. I thought you will refer me as your manager.”

Khushi looked at Arnav in confusion and asked in a low voice, which is enough for the men to hear “Manager? What are you doing Arnav? What’s your profession?”

“Yeah manager. I am working for him. He runs a fashion house in India and abroad. We came here for dealing some problem in New York branch. Your friend is most successful business man in India. He bagged ‘best young businessman’ award three consecutive years. And also he is the most wanted bachelor in India” said Aman

“Business?” she is surprised to hear that. She looked at Arnav with her trademark wide eyes and asked in the same low tone “You never wanted to come into this business field. Then why are you here? You wanted to do job, right? And bachelor? Still? Didn’t you get marry? Why?”

“Bahut kuch badal gayi Pari... life is not as same as before. Waise bhi... itne sawal puchte ho tum hai ki... forget it... Just keep quiet for some time. Ok? We can talk once we go home and I will tell you everything you asked about as you’re going to tell everything about you. Got that? So just relax...” he smiled at her. He successfully diverted the topic. She looked at him and sighed in defeat knowing his stubbornness. She closed her eyes seeking solace in her friend’s embrace and drifted into sleep.

He lifted her in his arms not disturbing her sleep and took her into his apartment. He made her lay down on bed comfortably after entering his home. He closed the door and letting her sleep. He already informed his butler to prepare food for three. He also informed him what to cook.

When he came to living room after changing he saw Aman sitting on the couch.

“Arnav... appointment with gynaecologist was confirmed at evening 4. They asked me to bring the patient with the previous reports. But I’m not sure whether she has the reports or not. We have to ask her.”

“I will wake her up for lunch then we can ask her” saying this Arnav sat on a couch resting his legs in a tea table.

“Arnav... are you ok?” asked Aman with concern, knowing how he was feeling to see Khushi in this condition.

“I don't know Aman... I never expected Khushi in this situation. She is too much weak to walk. When I saw her in her workplace, I... I... just couldn't believe what I’m seeing. I have so many questions to ask her. If I find that Shyam is the reason for her situation, then I’m not going leave him. I will search him in this whole world and tear him in pieces” he announced with rage in his eyes while gritting his teeth.

A chill ran down in Aman’s spine. There were a lot times when he saw his friend cum boss in angry mode. But this is the first time he is witnessing this much rage in his eyes. Now he completely understood what place Khushi has in his heart. He sent a silent prayer to god to make everything correct.

... to be continued