Part 13 The Truth

Khushi was thinking, squeezing her brain. She was damn sure that she had seen Arnav's mother somewhere. But she couldn't remember where...

Taking her mobile, she checked her contact list. She believed that a person from her contact list must be related to Arnav's mother. She was scrolling her list losing her patience.

Suddenly, something hit her mind. She checked Arvind's WhatsApp status.

*Tsunami not only had taken your life but also ours *

Tsunami? How could she die in Tsunami as they are living in Delhi? Tsunami hit South India, especially Tamilnadu. She remembered the day she went to Tamilnadu for her friend's marriage which happened in Nagapattinam Velankanni Church. She saw the Tsunami victim Memorial Tower there.

Her eyes popped out all of the sudden. Yes... she had met a woman named Ratna there. Children called her Ratnama... she punched her forehead thinking about it. She decided to call her friend Sherlin.

At that time, the college bell rang. She sighed.

Her friends looked at her frowning as she stood with her bag.

*What happened?* Payal asked.

*I'm leaving...*

*Where?*

*I don't know...* she took a step out of the desk.

*Khushi wait...* Lavanya said.

*I have no time... see you tomorrow?*

*Tomorrow?*

Khushi rushed out of the class and saw the professor advancing her class. She hid behind the pillar and waited there. Making sure of the professor's whereabouts she rushed out of the college.

Coming to the bus stop, she called her friend Sherlin. She attended the call on the third ring.

*Hi, Khushi... what a pleasant surprise... how are you?*

*Do you remember the woman we met in the church the previous day of your marriage?* She asked her without answering her question.

*Whom you are asking about?*

*Ratnama...*

*Oh... she...? She is in the same church's HOME...*

*Did you see her?*

*Recently I didn't see her*

*When did you see her for the last time?*

*Maybe a month ago...*

*Will she be in the same place?*

*Yes... but why are you asking about her?*

*Do you know why she is here? How did she come to the HOME?*

*I'm not sure... but I heard when someone talking about her...*

*What they talked?*

*She lost her husband and son in the Tsunami*

*Do you know where she is from?*

*She is a North Indian... do you have forgotten, she spoke to us in Hindi when we went to the HOME to provide food for the children?*

*Yes... I have forgotten...*

*By the way, what's the matter?*

*Her husband and Son are alive... they are in Delhi*

*Whaaaat! Is that true?*

*Yes... I had seen her death anniversary status...*

*Oh... Jesus... how sad!*

*Yes, I'm going to tell them about Ratnama. Before that, I just want to confirm her presence. Because I don't want to disappoint them*

*OK... I will go to the church and inquire about her*

*Could you?*

*Sure... why not...?*

*Their family will be thankful to you Sherlin...* Khushi said emotionally.

*No... it's happening because of you...*

*I will be waiting for your call...*

*Within an hour*

*Sherlin...*

*Tell me*

*Don't say anything to Ratnama as of now*

*Don't worry... I won't tell her anything. But I will be there with them when she meets her husband and son. It will be an emotional gathering...*

*Undoubtedly*

*I will call you*

*Thank you Sherlin*

*You are welcome Madam*

Khushi chuckled. They disconnected the call. Sherlin started to the Church whereas Khushi to her house.

Khushi felt extreme nervousness as well as happiness. It will be a great achievement in her life if she patched the family up. How poor they are... all of them are alive but they are thinking that they lost each other. Ratnama spends her life with orphan children while having her son. It's been sixteen years, they are been separated. How pity... Khushi's eyes tear up.

She prayed Devi Maiya.

*Please Devi Maiya... she must be Arnav's mother... without any problem; they should get together... please Devi Maiya... I will offer you keer then* She had a deal with Devi Maiya.

Nagapattinam Velamkanni Church

Sherlin came to the church. She saw the Father and smiled.

*Good morning father*

*How are you? Anything special?*

*Just thought to visit the children on this Tsunami day. Shall I?*

*Sure...* Permitting her, the father left the place.

Sherlin came to the home where Ratna resides with the children.

*Hello Ratnama...* She called.

Ratna wiped her tears and smiled at Sherlin. Even though she wiped the tears Sherlin found the wetness on her cheek. After all, this is the day she lost her husband and son.

*Are you alright?* She asked.

Ratna nodded yes with a fake smile.

*I'm sorry... *

*I'm alright beta...*

*I heard you lost your husband and son in the Tsunami...*

Ratna could not control her tears anymore. She cried closing her eyes.

*I'm sorry...* Sherlin felt bad but she had no choice.

*I saw my son being dragged away from me... in front of my eyes... he shouted Maaaa....* she cried again.

Sherlin couldn't hold her tears. She so wanted her to get her family back.

Ratna composed herself.

*Though it happened sixteen years ago it feels like it happened just yesterday...that bitter memory stays fresh...* she said sadly.

*What your husband's and son's name are?*

*Arvind and Arnav Singh Raizada... he was a businessman. He wanted to establish the business...* she sighed.

While talking to her, Sherlin clicked the pic of Ratna and sent it to Khushi.

Khushi saw the pic and dialed Sherlin. Her phone rang.

*Excuse me...* Sheriln excused herself from Ratna and came a little aloof and attended the call.

*Khushi...her husband's name is Arvind and her son's name is Arnav...*

*Godddd....*

*Are they?*

*Yes... thank you, Sherlin... I love you*

*You carry on... inform me if they are coming here. I will arrange rooms for them...*

*Sure... soon they will be there...*

Khushi disconnected the call and called Arvind's number. It was switched off. He and Arnav switched the phone off as they were in the pooja.

She thought is this a matter to talk through the phone? She called Shashi.

*Khushi...?*

*Babuji... where are you?*

*I'm going to meet an agent...*

*Please come back home...*

*Why? Anything wrong?*

*No... everything is right...*

*What happened, Khushi?*

*Babuji, I will tell you everything on the way to Raizada Mansion*

*Raizada Mansion?*

*Yes, don't you want to go there?*

*Of course, yes...*

*Then come there... I will join you*

*Ok...*

*Send me the location. I don't know their house.*

*Ok*

They disconnected the call. Khushi went to Raizada Mansion as Shashi shared the location. Shashi reached RM before Khushi. Khushi got down of the auto.

*What happened? Why don't you go to college?*

*Babuji, Arvind's uncle's wife is alive... they are performing her death anniversary... because they are thinking that she is dead*

*Oh God...*

The security stopped them.

*We want to meet Arvind's uncle...* Khushi said.

*Wait...* the security was about to call Arvind,

Aman saw them who just came to attend a call.

*Khushi....* he frowned unbelievably.

*Security...* he called.

*Yes, sir?*

*She is our friend. Let them in*

*OK, sir*

Khushi entered with Shashi. Aman could not understand why she is here with her father. Are they going to fight with Arnav and his father? He thought.

Without wasting time, Khushi rushed in and Shashi followed her. So, did Aman.

Arnav's face brightened, seeing Khushi in his place. Arvind also smiled at her.

The Pandit was chanting mantras.

*Panditji, please stop it...* Khushi said.

Arvind frowned at her.

*What's wrong Khushi?* Arvind asked her.

*Uncle, Ratnama is not dead... she is alive...* she said with an unnamed expression.

The Pandit stopped chanting. Arvind stood with a shocked expression. He couldn't believe what just Khushi said at the same time he couldn't be without believe her because she said RATNAMA.

*What did you say?*

Khushi nodded yes. She removed her phone and showed Ratna's photo to Arvind. Arvind was shocked like hell. He stood looking at the pic and his eyes poured like a waterfall.

To be continued...

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Arvind's Ratna...

Arvind snatched the phone from Khushi's hand. He wiped the tears which flew from his eyes to see Ratna's photo clearly. Words were not coming from his throat. Arnav looked at the phone screen and asked.

*Dad...*

*My Ratna...*

*Where is she? How do you know her whereabouts?*