Part 11

In Sheetal's room:

Aarav is crying and Sheetal is also faking her tears.

"I will leave from this house Dadi. There is threat to my son in this house. See, how Payal slapped my child and even yesterday morning, Anjali ji too talked rudely with Aarav." Said Sheetal crying.

"Stop Crying Sheetal. You won't leave anywhere taking Aarav with you. He is the heir of this family "said Dadi, "If anyone leaves then it will be that Khushi along with her daughter"

"When will that happen ? You said that if Khushi comes to know that Aarav is Arnav's son, she will leave this house. We have always given her hints but she didn't left until now. This is the good chance before Arnav comes back from his trip" said Sheetal.

"Yeah. I said that. She should have left by now but she didn't.. Let me think about this" said Dadi and left from there.

It was night before dinner. Khushi is putting Aashi to sleep when the door knocked. She turned to look at Sheetal and Aarav standing there.

"Can I come in ?"asked Sheetal.

Khushi nodded her head asking her to come in.

Sheetal and Aarav came inside the room. They both stood silently.

"Do you want to say something ?"asked Khushi.

Sheetal nodded her head.

"What is it ?"asked Khushi.

Sheetal sat down crying there. Khushi looked at her intently.

"What happened ? Why are you crying Sheetalji ?"asked Khushi.

"Khushi. You know I am a single mother. Aarav is growing up and he needs his father. He is feeling very depressed with the thought that he is fatherless. Even his friends are mocking him which is making him more sad. That is why he behaves rudely with most people. You can't even imagine what all I have to go through to brought up Aarav. I faced many insults from people. This world won't let a single mother in peace.. Sometimes, I feel death is more peaceful than hearing those insults. All these days I stayed away and silent from Aarav's father thinking that he is happy somewhere else and I love him a lot. I just needs his happiness. But now I think Aarav needs his father Khushi.." said Sheetal crying.

"OK Sheetalji. I understand your situation. But what can I do in this matter ?" asked Khushi with a cool tone.

Sheetal looked at Khushi puzzled. Even after her emotional drama, she is still asking what can she do.

"Don't you know who is Aarav's father ?" asked Sheetal.

"How would I know ?"asked Khushi.

"Don't play games Khushi. All these days, I am giving you hints that Arnav is Aarav's father" said Sheetal.

"Ohh.. You are talking about that.. But Sheetalji, I don't believe it.. Arnavji said to me you mean nothing to him. You are just a classmate. That's it. He said that you are not even in friend zone. So, how did you even thought that I will believe your words more than my husband ?"said Khushi.

Sheetal was puzzled to hear Khushi's answer but she didn't give up,"Arnav is Aarav's father. On the day of graduation night, we both became one when he was not in his senses. So, Arnav doesn't know about it or remember it."

" Sheetalji. First say me clearly what do you want ? Why did you came here ? What do you want me to do ?"asked Khushi.

Sheetal looking here and there for a second said, " I want you to go away"

"Go away!! From where ?? To Where ?"asked Khushi.

"I want you to go away from Arnav's life and this house forever along with Aashi.. Please" said Sheetal crying..

"Why should I go ? You are staying away from Arnavji all these years.. So, now too you only go away from his life. Just now, you said that single mother's life is horrible then how do you expect me to undergo the same. Even my daughter have toface the same situation as Aarav. I am not ready to face all that and above all I don't believe that Aarav is Arnavji's son" said Khushi.

Sheetal was shocked by Khushi's direct denial.

"W..What.." Sheetal stuttered hearing it.. She can't understand what to do now. She thought that if she cry and do drama in front of Khushi, she will go away but here Khushi is directly denying to go away.

"Waah.." came Dadi who is standing out of the room came inside clapping her hands.

Khushi looked at her calmly while Sheetal with hope.

Dadi came near Khushi, " I heard this family always praising you for your selfless nature but here I am seeing exactly opposite to what they said. So, everything is a façade in front of the family. You just can't sacrifice your husband for a girl who loves him and also mother of his child. IS this your selflessness ? I hope family sees your truth and realize how selfish you are.. You never thought about a little boy who is pining for his father's love and a girl who loves your husband more than you"

Khushi looking straightely into Dadi's eyes, spoke, " Yes Dadi, I am selfish. When it comes to my love and life, I am selfish and I don't care even if whole world calls me selfish. Because now, I am not only wife but also a mother too. Whatever decision I take, my child's whole life is dependent on it. Why should I sacrifice my husband for someone else ? I don't believe that Aarav is Arnavji's son. So, there is no question that I will leave my husband. If Arnavji comes and say me that Aarav is son, then I will believe. If he wishes me to leave from this house and life, then I will leave. Until then, I won't leave from here"

Dadi looked at Khushi with wide eyed seeing her audacity to speak back to her, Khushi continued, " Also, Arnavji loves me and Aashi a lot. He can't live without us. If he comes to know that you tried to separate me and Aashi from him, he won't spare you. So, Stop all these"

Dadi fumed hearing Khushi's words.

"You don't need to advice me. I know how to make Sheetal and Aarav get that rights" said Dadi and left from there angrily. Sheetal and Aarav followed her.

Khushi sat down on the recliner. Her mobile blinked with some message and she looked at Arnav's wallpaper with Aashi. She took and hugged it to her heart.

"Come back soon Arnavji. I am afraid" murmured Khushi.

She slept beside Aashi hugging her close..

"Khushi!!" Arnav whispered to himself. His heart is saying that Khushi needs him now. She is calling for him but he is stuck in the meeting. Are Khushi and Aashi fine ? Is Dadi creating more troubles for Khushi ?

"ASR!! ASR !!" Aman shook Arnav bringing him out of his trance.

"Mr. Brooke is saying something" said Aman.

"Sorry Mr. Brooke. I was just distracted. Say me" said Arnav.

After half an hour when the meeting is over, Mr.Brooke left and Arnav turned to Aman.

"Aman. Book my tickets to India" said Arnav.

Aman was surprised hearing it, " But ASR, You have to stay here for another four days"

"I think you can handle those small works Aman."said Arnav.

Aman nodded his head.

"So, book my tickets to India for the next flight" said Arnav and left from there..

It was midnight.. Khushi woke up with the sounds of thunders. She opened the curtains of poolside door and saw it was raining lightly.

Sighing she came and placed her hand on Aashi to stroke her but found Aashi is burning with fever.. Khushi gave Aashi her medicines which doctor prescribed. Aashi wriggled and cried but Khushi calmed her quickly. She sat down my keeping her head on head rest of the bed. She doesn't know when slept off.

After an hour, she got up with a strange feeling and found Aashi shivering.. She touched her and her fever increased more. Above all she isn't responding.. Khushi got panicked.

"Aashi" Khushi patted her cheeks but Aashi wasn't responding.. Tears rolled down from Khushi's eyes.

She immediately lifted Aashi and rushed out of the room towards Payash's room.

"Jiji.. Jijaji.." Khushi banged the door of Payal and Akash crying loudly.

The door was opened immediately and Akash, Payal were literally shocked to see a crying Khushi.

Even Anjali, Dadi and Sheetal who heard the banging of the door came out of their respective rooms.

Anjali rushed towards Khushi while Dadi and Sheetal stood still at their places.

"Khushi. What happened ?"asked Payal coming to Khushi.

"Jiji.. Aashi... She has.... high... fever and she... is...not...responding" cried Khushi..

Anjali took Aashi in her arms.. She and Payal too tried to wake up her but she didn't.

"She has very high fever Khushiji" said Anjali. Both Anjali and Payal are also crying.

"Let's go to doctor Khushiji" said Akash.

"Haan. Let's go" said Payal.

"But jiji.. How can you ?"asked Khushi thinking about pregnancy state.

"No Problem Khushi. I will be fine" said Payal.

"Khushiji is right Payalji. It is not good for you to come hospital" said Anjali.

"Di.. You and Payal stay here. Me and Khushiji will go with Aashi. If doctor says anything serious, then you both come" said Akash.

Payal was going to protest but Akash and Khushi left to hospital before that.

Thanks to those who have all voted and commented on previous update..

Next Part of the story is already available in Inkitt.