Part 8

At the Night:

Arnav and Akash came downstairs from their study. It was already 8.00 PM. Anjali, Nani, Mami and Dadi are present in the hall.

"Di. When did you came ?"asked Anjali.

"Half an hour back Chote. You both were in study" said Anjali.

"Is there more stress Di ?"asked Akash.

"NO Akash. Nothing like that. Exams are going on. So, it happens. This whole week I have to go early and come late in the evening" said Anjali.

"Di, Nani. I am going to Paris tomorrow." Said Arnav.

"What!! Chote. Why Suddenly ?"asked Anjali.

Arnav and Akash explained them the situation. Nani and Anjali understood it.

"When is the flight ?"asked Nani.

"Tomorrow morning 6 AM" said Arnav.

Dadi was disappointed hearing it. She thought to talk with Arnav regarding Aarav. She has to talk this night.

Night, After dinner:

Aashi is cranky and both Arnav, Khushi are trying to console her. Dadi knocked the door of their room.

"Come in Dadi" said Arnav. Dadi didn't entered the room.

" I want to talk with you Chote" said Dadi.

"Say me Dadi" said Arnav.

"Not here. Come to my room" said Dadi.

"Why can't you say here ?"asked Arnav.

"I want to talk with you alone" said Dadi looking at Khushi.

"There won't be any secrets between me and Khushi Dadi. You can talk before her" said Arnav too with a stern face.

Dadi kept a stern face looking away indicating she is not pleased with the idea.

"Arnavji. You go and talk with Dadiji." Said Khushi and tried to take Aashi from Arnav but Aashi isn't willing to leave her daddy. She held his collar tightly in her little fists.

"Aashi. Come" Khushi tried to take Aashi forcibly when she burst out into cry.

"Stop it Khushi" said Arnav removing her hands from Aashi. He wiped her tears and kissed her cheeks who snuggled to his father.

"Dadi. We can talk later" said Arnav and went to the bed taking Aashi with him.

Dadi kept an impatience face and looking angrily at Khushi, left from there.

Next Morning:

Arnav bid good bye to whole family excluding Dadi, Sheetal and Aarav. Aashi too slept.. He kissed Aashi again and again.

"Take Care of her Khushi" said Arnav.

"I will Laad governor. How many times you will say this ?"asked Khushi a little bit irritated. He is saying her the same thing from night again and again.

Arnav smiled hearing her irritated voice. He pulled her towards him and kissed her forehead lovingly.

"Take care of yourself too"said Arnav. Khushi assured him with her eyes.

Arnav and Akash left for the airport.

In the Airport:

The announcement for the flight have been made. Akash could feel Arnav in some tension.

"Bhai. Is there something which is bothering you ?"asked Akash.

"Yes Akash. Actually, I am worried for Khushi" said Arnav.

"Khushi!! What happened to her ?"asked Akash confused.

"She is fine but I don't feel secure to leave her when Dadi is in the house. You know how Dadi behaves with Khushi. I am just worried she hurts Khushi by one or other means" said Arnav.

"Bhai.. Nothing will happen. I promise you I won't let Dadi hurt Khushi and Aashi. Khushi is like a little sister to me. You don't worry about Khushi and Aashi. Me and Payal are there for them. Do you think my warrior wife will leave anyone who hurts his little sister ?"asked Akash.

"Yeah. That's right" said Arnav with a chuckle.

He hugged Akash who reciprocated the hug, "Take Care"

Akash assured with his eyes and Arnav left for his flight.

Akash returned to Shantivan. Nani and Mami came to him with tensed face.

"Maa. What happened ?"asked Akash.

"Akash Bitwa.. We just got a call now. Your Badi Dadi is there naa in Kanpur. She fell ill and hospitalized." Said Mami.

"What!! When did this happen ?"asked Akash.

"Yesterday night and they called now" said Mami, "Sasumaa wants to go now"

"Haan Akash. I want to go and meet my jiji"said Nani with tears.

"OK Dadi. Don't cry. I will make arrangements" said Akash and went aside.

After sometime, Nani along with Mami, Payal and Khushi is in downstairs. Akash is holding her luggage.

Dadi came there looking confused.

"Devyani. What happened ? Are you going somewhere ?"asked Dadi.

"Haan Subi. You know my jiji in Kanpur. She fell ill and hospitalized. So, I am going to Kanpur" said Nani.

"Ohh Ok.. How is she now ?"asked Dadi.

"I don't know much about it. They are not saying anything clearly" said Nani.

"Dadi. It's time.. let's leave" said Akash.

"Haan Akash." said Nani then turning to Mami, "Manorama. Take care of Anjali Bitiya, Payal Bitiya and Khushi Bitiya. Haan. Don't forget about Aashi. Even Chote is not here"

"Sasumaa. You don't take tension about here. I will manage" said Mami.

"Haan Nani. You don't worry about us" said Khushi.

Nani nodded her head and left from there after kissing Aashi.

"Good morning" Sheetal came to breakfast table along with Aarav where Khushi, Payal, Mami and Dadi are present.

Akash had already left for office and Anjali to college.

"Good morning Sheetal" said Dadi politely surprising Mami while Payal rolled off her eyes and Khushi cared less.

"Where is Arnav ? Did he left ?"asked Sheetal.

Mami, Khushi and Payal looked up at her with questioning gaze.

"I mean I am just asking" Sheetal stammered seeing their gaze.

"Arnav bitwa left in the morning" answered Mami.

"Ohh. You could have woke up me. I would have bid him good bye" said Sheetal.

"Why ?? You are not part of our family to bid good bye to him" said Payal rudely to Sheetal.

Sheetal felt embarrassed by Payal's comment.

"Sheetal is a family" said Dadi.

The trio looked at her confused and surprised.

"Why are you looking like that ? Guests are treated like family in our culture." Said Dadi then turning to Payal, " Payal. Next time, I won't tolerate if you insult Sheetal"

Payal was offended by Dadi's comment while Manorama and Khushi didn't like the way Dadi talked with Payal that too for Sheetal.

Payal left from there angrily. Mami followed her taking Payal's plate as she didn't complete it.

"Mom. The toast isn't tasty. I don't want it" said Aarav sulking.

"No Problem. Khushi will make something for you" said Dadi.

Khushi looked at her flabbergasted.

"What!! Me" asked Khushi.

"Why ? You are the mistress of this house. It is your duty to make guests comfortable. Go and make what Aarav likes now" almost ordered Dadi then turning to Aarav, " Aarav beta. What do you like to eat ?"

"I want Oats" said Aarav

Khushi, though felt bad that Dadi is insulting her infront of guests went from there as she doesn't want to hear anymore.

"Dadi. Why did you ask Khushi to make it ?"asked Sheetal faking her goodness.

"Don't worry Sheetal. She needs this. This middle class girl is making my chote run behind her always. She doesn't deserve to be DIL of this house. Also, when you and Arnav marry, her position in this house is going to be in Kitchen only." Said Dadi.

"Marriage!!" asked Sheetal flabbergasted.

"Yes. I thought to make you marry Arnav." said Dadi.

"But Dadi. How is it possible ? Arnav is already married to Khushi. Unless she divorce him, I can't marry Arnav" said Sheetal.

"You leave all that to me. I will take care of that. But I will make sure your both marriage happens" said Dadi with a confidence.

Sheetal was on cloud nine hearing it. She never thought she will get a jackpot. She just wanted to make money from Arnav by showing Aarav as his son but here, Dadi gave her an opportunity to be Mrs.ASR. She won't let this opportunity go from her hands.

After sometime, Khushi came there with Aarav's Oats.

"You know Sheetal. Seeing Aarav remind me of seeing Chote. Even Chote was like Aarav in his childhood. Same anger, Same eating habits and behaviour. Not only behaviour, even both of them resembles same. Even Aarav too has diabetes just like Chote. I sometimes feel that Aarav is Chote's son" said Dadi.

Khushi looked at Dadi shocked for her words while Dadi smirked seeing her reaction. Sheetal did a mental dance in her mind.

Khushi came into the room pondering over Dadi's words. What does Dadi mean by her words ? Why is she showing extra concern for Sheetal and Aarav ? What does she wants to prove by implying that Aarav resembles like Arnavji ?

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

Next Part of the story is already available in INKITT.