Part 4

“Mom... you did wrong mom... you spoiled everything” thought Arnav. He closed his eyes unable to see his friend’s eyes. ‘What if she hates me? What if she doubts my intention for bringing her here? What if... if... she leaves me?’ that thought itself took his life out.

It’s a big blow to Khushi. She never guessed this. Actually she never got any hint of this. She nodded her head in No with a great shock of her life

“I know betiya... it’s difficult for you to believe. But it’s the truth”

Khushi looked at Arnav and went to him “Arnav???” his name from her mouth is enough for him to know her questions, her doubts, her accusation mainly hurt. Unable to answer to her questions, he kept Sahana in Akash’s lap and went from there giving no ear to Sahana’s cries. Sahana started crying for sudden loss of Arnav’s warmth. They tried to console her. But everybody in the room knows what she needs most at that time. They all looked at Khushi who is in a deep thought. Mr. Raizada went to her and patted her head affectionately.

“Khushi betiya...”

“Uncle... Ye sab...”

“Yes dear... whatever mom said is true. But he never allowed us to say anything to you” said Anjali

“But Di... How all this? I mean from when? Is he mistaken his sympathy as love for me?”

“No way dear... my brother is not a fool, who can’t even differentiate the sympathy and love. He is deeply in love with you from the day he saw you for that first time in your college seven years back. That too before his best friend – Shyam introduced you to him as his love”

“I need to talk to him. I need to talk to him...” saying this Khushi rushed to Arnav’s room taking Sahana, who is still crying, from Akashi's hands.

She knocked the door for getting a blunt reply.

“Just go from here Khushi... I don't want to talk anything now. Just leave me alone”

“Fine... I’m leaving Sahana near at the door. Do whatever you want” she left Sahana at the door and hid behind the pillar. Her heart is thudding from the recent revelations.

Sahana looked around her to find either her mother or father. Seeing no one around her, she cried loudly calling for Arnav “Dada.... Dada...”

It’s very difficult for Arnav to avoid his angel’s daughter. He can’t. So, he rushed to open the door and took her in his embrace. She hung to his neck tightly as if she loosens her grip he will leave her and go. He hugged her tightly feeling her tiny body to his heart in his arms. He closed his eyes tightly. Tears left his eyes showing how vulnerable he is at that time. ‘I’m sorry dear. I’m sorry’ he whispered, unaware of Khushi’s stare at him. Khushi couldn't believe what she is seeing. She never observed Arnav’s bond with her daughter. She never knew Arnav this much attached to her daughter. She never knew her own daughter will cry for Arnav, leaving her behind, when she is scared.

He took Sahana inside his room, sat on the couch along with Sahana on his lap. He made her look at him and said “Look dear... I’m not dada. You shouldn’t call me like this. You call me Arnav. Say... Aaa....rnaaa...vvv.... say... Arnav...”

“Dada...”

“No dear... not Dada... its Arnav... you shouldn’t call me that” he said with desperateness and vulnerability

“Why Arnav? Why shouldn’t she?” asked Khushi. She can see his body got stiffened.

“Khushi what are doing here? You need to take rest. Just go... please leave me with Sahana for some time.”

“She is MY daughter. I can never leave her with you. What if you teach her all lies? What if she learns all the bad things from you?”

“Khushi??” he whispered shockingly. He never expected Khushi to say that.

“Ha... I’m Khushi... you hide so many things from me. I asked you so many times about your bachelor life. I asked you why you didn't want to get marry. But you didn't even care to say anything. Who knows, with what intentions you kept me in your house. And what you will teach my daughter. You might want to snatch my daughter from me. So, I don't want to leave my daughter with you anymore,” saying this she snatched Sahana from his arms making her cry out loud. She knew very well about her friend. She is very well aware of his stubbornness. If she wants him to talk everything, she needs to be rude.

“Please Khushi... don't remove your anger on her. She is a baby. Please...” he can’t see the tears either in Khushi’s eyes or Sahana's.

“If you had told me before about your feelings, it wouldn’t have happened. I would have left from here. No problem, when the night turns into light, I will leave with my daughter. Thank you so much for your help all these days” saying this she left room. Before she put her leg outside the door, she heard him saying

“I never wanted to lose your friendship. I’m scared. I’m weak. I’m helpless” she wouldn’t have hear his words, if she is not waiting for him to talk. She turned back to see him in tears. Her heart ached to see him in this state.

“Your friendship is more important than my love Khushi. Because, your friendship gives you happiness more than my love can give. I don't want to snatch your happiness. I wanted to see you smiling. I want you to be happy all the time. For your happiness, if I have to leave my love behind, I will do that. In fact I did that.  I accepted your love for Shyam; I helped you in convincing your parents. I brought you here from US; I searched for your parents. Do you know why I did all these? Because all these will gives you happiness. I will do anything for your happiness Khushi. If you feel, from hiding all these I have hurt you, then I’m sorry. And if you want me to go away from Sahana, I will do that also. If you feel, I will teach her all the bad things, then this is last day she is going to see me. I promise you Khushi. Because, I know how you are feeling now. How much disgusted you are feeling now to see my face after knowing about my feelings. But Khushi let me clear you one thing. I never wanted to lose you Khushi. At the same time, I never tried to snatch YOUR daughter from you. I’m not that type of person Khushi.”

He turned to other side facing his back to her and continued “And also I wanted to clear my intentions about bringing you here. Because I don't want you to feel bad about me. I just wanted to see you smiling all the time. I needed your presence in my life. I needed your support all the time. I’m a normal person Pari. I too need one loving heart. I too need one person, whom I can say as mine. I missed you 6 years Khushi. When I saw you in US, I felt like I got my life back. After knowing your situation and Shyam’s departure, I decided to be with you as your support just as a FRIEND. Nothing else Khushi... please trust me... please... I never had any bad intentions towards you... that thought itself kills me Pari. I never ever can harm you. I will give my life rather than hurting you. Trust me Khushi... I never wanted to tell you about my feelings. Because I knew it hurts you so much. But Mom... after I denied everyone not to tell you about my feelings also she blurted out everything. I’m sorry Pari... I didn't mean to hurt you. Please forgive me and my mom for making you cry this day. But please don't go from here. If you don’t want to see my face, then I promise you Pari, you will never see me again in your life. And I will never ever come in front of Sahana. But please don't go. My family will take care of you. They are really good people unlike me. You will be safe here Khushi. Outside world is not safe for you. Please don't go... mat jao Pari...”

He sat on his knees and cried his heart out. His back is facing her. She couldn’t believe that the person in front of her is her best friend Arnav. She never thought she will see this day in her life. She never thought she is this blind to see the love in this man. She doesn’t know what to do or what to say. She sat on bed not able to stand anymore. She is looking at nothing particular lost in the confession of her best friend. She didn't even realise when her daughter slipped from her lap and went to Arnav. Her trance broke with the crying sound of Sahana. Seeing him crying Sahana again started crying aloud.

Arnav immediately took her in his embrace not able to see her cry. He made her stop crying and said to her “Shh... darling... you shouldn’t cry like this. You are my...” he paused for few moments and continued again “you are mom’s brave daughter, right? Then you shouldn’t cry like this. And you should listen whatever mom says. Ok?”

Not able to understand, why he is saying all these Sahana asked “Dada?”

“No... I’m not. I’m just Arnav – a bad friend of your parents. Go... go to your mom and stay safe there.” saying this he gave her to Khushi. “I promise you Pari... she will never see me in her life again. But please take care of yourself. Stay happy all the time” he left the room.

“Chote...” he stopped to see his family at the outside of the door. He smiled weakly at them and left from there.

“Arnav...” he stopped by hearing Khushi’s voice. She gave Sahana to Anjali and came to the hall from where he is leaving now.

“Arnav... I’m sorry” he turned back immediately and cupped her face in his palms.

“No Pari... there is no mistake of yours. Don't say sorry. You have every right to doubt me and my intentions. Any girl in your place behaves like this. I shouldn’t have done like this. I’m sorry. Please Pari don't say sorry. It hurts me”

She hugged him tightly and said “I’m confused Arnav. You are the only person I have in this whole world. I don't know what to do. Either I can say anything or we can live without you. These all are too sudden for me. Please help me Arnav. Don’t leave me in this situation. Please... me and Sahana needs you in our lives Arnav. Please...”

“Please Pari... don't cry... I can’t take tears in yours or angels’ eyes. Please stop it”

She tightens her hold on his back as if she loosens, he will leave. But he didn't hug her back. “Shh... Pari... stop crying first. Come sit here. We will talk about this. Stop crying” saying this he led her to the couches. He made her sit and wiped her tears. Sitting on his knees in front of Khushi he continued

“What’s there to cry in this? If you don't want to marry me, then don't. Nobody is forcing you here? Nobody will dare. Why are you feeling like that you have to live without me? If you want also, I never can go far from you two. I will take care of every need of you both. Maybe you might not see me, but my eyes will never leave you guys. How can I stay without seeing you two, Pari? I just simply can’t. You don't need to marry me. Mom said all those things because she cares for us. She thought if you agree to marry any other person, he may not accept Angel as his daughter. So she thought it will be good if we get married to each other where Sahana is more than comfortable with me. But that doesn’t mean you have to marry me. There is no compulsory in this. So just relax and be yourself. And please forget whatever me and my mom said about my feelings. Please let’s stay as friends as before”

“But what about you Arnav?” asked Mr. Raizada. Khushi looked at Arnav as she has same question in her mind.

Smiling at her Arnav said “There is nothing about me dad. All I wanted is Pari and Angels’ happiness. As long as they are happy, I will be happy too. They both are my life. Pari is my friend; Sahana is my Pari’s daughter. That’s all the matter” he said smiling at his family ending the topic there. He didn't find any reason to hide his feelings now.

He sat on the floor with the force Khushi hugged him. He held her tightly not letting her fall. “Please don't leave me Arnav... I want you in my life. I need your support in my life. I can’t live without you... please...”

“He never can do that bhabhi... Umm... can I call you bhabhi at least now?” Akash hesitated.

She looked shockingly at Akash and everyone's’ faces which are filled with curiosity. She turned to Arnav and asked “Can we make that? I don't know... what to decide. I mean you and me? As a couple? Yuck... Arnav... please help me”

He looked at her shockingly surprised “what do you mean Khushi?”

“I don't know Arnav... whatever I came to know few minutes back, whatever I heard from you, I’m really confused. Whatever aunty said, it makes me to think about Sahana. As you said, what if the person I got married, won’t accept her as his daughter? What if tries to hurt her?”

“Then that day will be his last day” declared Arnav.

“Yeah... I know that... you won’t let him live. But then what’s the need to marry if you kill all the people whoever hurts us?”

He smiled little.

“If you promise me... that... we... I... we... can... I mean... you know... I... I mean you...”

“Pari... you know I hates stammering. Tell me whatever you are thinking in your tiny mind”

“If you promise me that we can make this marriage work without any embarrassment then, I don't have any objection for Akash calling me bhabhi”

“WHAT!!??” everyone shouted.

Arnav looked into her eyes. He can see fear, confusion, hesitation and embarrassment in those big eyes of hers. He held her tiny palms in his big palms and said “There is no need to fear. We will make that work. But before this marriage held, let me clear you one thing again Pari... Your and Sahana’s happiness is more important than anything to me. If you are not comfortable with this marriage thing, nobody will force you. And I know you are getting ready to marry me because of Sahana and you can’t accept me as your husband that easily. I know dear... but don't be scared. I never ever will force you for anything... I mean it... anything which you won’t be comfortable. I just wanted you to smile all the time and your presence in my life. I needed your support in my life” he finished clearing her doubts.

She smiled at him feeling glad to know how he is understands her inner turmoil. She hugged him tightly letting her fears come out in the form of tears.

“Then can we start the arrangements for the marriage of my sister with my arrogant and ruthless boss?” said over excited Aman.

They broke their hug hearing Aman’s voice. Everybody looked at Khushi, who nodded her head happily. She went to Anjali, took her daughter and came to Arnav “Here is YOUR daughter Arnav. Please let her call you Dad”

He immediately took Sahana in his embrace. Holding her tightly to his heart he said “she is OUR daughter Pari. I never can reject any of her wants or needs” Khushi is overwhelmed with his statement

“But please don't spoil her with your pampering as you did with your Pari Chote...”

Everybody laughed their hearts out. Sahana held Arnav’s face in her hands and made it all wet with her salvia. She couldn’t forget her Dada crying. She kissed all over his face saying “Dada...”

Both Arnav Khushi looked at each other. They both smiled at each other wishing for a happy life ahead together.

~~THE END~~

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