Part 14 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?*

*She is in Nagapattinam district Tamilnadu. I went to attend my friend's marriage last year at Velankanni Church. I met her there. Today, Lavanya showed me your status to me. I recognized her. I called my friend Sherlin to confirm Ratnama's presence. She is still there only. Sherlin is the one who sent the photo of hers to me* Khushi said.

Hearing her words, Arvind clutched her hands and cried keeping his forehead on them.

*Uncle, please compose yourself...* Khushi said pleadingly.

He nodded NO and tried to say something but he couldn't. Arnav stood like a statue and couldn't understand the sudden change in their life. It was hard for him to trust his mother is alive who he thought died a long ago.

Khushi looked at Arnav who was standing motionlessly. She looked at Aman. He and NK rushed to Arvind.

*Badipapa... you should be happy... Badima is alive... let's go and bring her here...* NK said.

Arvind raised his head.

*Beta... where is she?*

*Uncle, my friend Sherlin will help you. I had spoken to her. She will do the arrangements to meet Ratnama*

Arvind looked at Shashi.

*He is my Babuji*

*Namaste* Shashi said.

*Thank you for your help... I don't know what I could do to you in return... she saved my son's life at first...*

Khushi and Arnav spared a glance. Khushi bowed down. That situation embarrassed her like hell.

*And now... she had given us our real happiness by finding my wife...* Arvind said emotionally.

*You don't be emotional sir... everything will be alright* Shashi said.

Arvind turned towards Khushi.

*Beta, please give all the details about the area... (He looked at Arnav) Chotte, get the details from Khushi*

*Sir, you can take Khushi with you. Then the process of finding your wife will be easier* Shashi said.

Khushi was shocked whereas the other people were wondering.

*Babuji...*

Cutting her,

*Are you serious?* Arvind asked.

*Of course... when you are with her, why should I hesitate? I can understand how crucial this situation is... don't waste your time. Take Khushi with you. She will guide you as there is her friend in Velankanni... So, it will be easy to reach your wife*

*Thank you so much Shahsiji...*

*My pleasure*

Arvind shook hands with him.

*Khushi...*

*Haan...*

*Go with them...*

She looked at him silently.

*Complete the process which you started...* Shashi smiled.

Khushi nodded ok.

*Come home and get the required stuff of yours*

Khushi nodded ok.

*NK, take Khushi and Shashiji home and bring them back* Arvind said.

*Jee, Babipapa*

Shashi and Khushi went to Gupta House to bring Khushi's stuff.

Arnav hugged Arvind emotionally.

*I can't believe this Dad...*

*I too just can't... It feels like I'm dreaming... we are going to meet my Ratna...* he said excitedly.

Arnav nodded yes smilingly.

*Go and pack your dresses*

Arnav nodded ok and left the place. Arvind also started packing his stuff as quickly as possible as if he can't meet his wife if he packs late.

Gupta House

Garima frowned when Shashi said that Khushi is going to Tamilnadu.

*Khushi, you go and pack your things* Shashi said.

*But what's necessary?* Garima asked.

*She is going to get a family together...*

*Whaaaat!*

Shashi explained to Garima the complete scenario.

*My God... is she alive?*

*Yes...*

*Hey Devi Maiya... why are you always examining good people?* She asked sadly.

*See, what a holy necessary Khushi has to go with them...*

Garima nodded yes.

Khushi came downstairs with a bag. Shashi and Khushi left GH with NK.

RM

Arnav and Arvind were ready. Khushi entered with Shahsi and NK.

All of them started at the airport. They reached the airport in an hour.

*NK, drop Shashiji at his house*

*Ok BadiPapa*

*No... I came to RM by bike. You just drop me in RM*

*Ok uncle* NK said.

Khushi was thunderstruck seeing a private flight waiting for them. She looked at Arvind.

*There is no Airport in Nagapattinam. We can go to Puducherry by flight. From Puducherry, it's four hour journey by road. It will be a hectic journey. So, we will go to Nagapattinam by Helicopter.* he said casually.

*Uncle won't mind about expenses. He is so curious to see his sweetheart... am I the right uncle?* Aman asked teasingly.

Arvind chuckled. Khushi looked at him biting her lip.

*We are leaving...* Arvind shook hands with Shashi.

*Bye Babuji...* Khushi hugged Shashi.

*Enjoy the flight...* Shashi kissed her forehead.

They got inside and the flight took off.

Shashi left the airport with NK, Aman, and Akash.

*You are a gentleman uncle...* Aman said.

*Yes, you have sent your daughter with Arvind's uncle...* NK said.

*Arvind sir has a very big name in the society... my daughter will be safe with him* Shashi smiled.

*But what about Arnav? Would she be safe with him?* NK whispered in Aman's ear.

Aman nagged his stomach.

*shat up... what if he hears?* He chided.

They got into the car and headed to RM.

In the Flight

Khushi was sitting next to Arvind on the flight. She observed one thing Arnav looked calm... maybe, confused... Why not? He had missed one of the important people in his life a long ago... and now, he got to know that she is alive. Of course, he would have been confused.

After reaching Pudhucherry, they started to Nagapattinam by Helicopter.

Sherlin was waiting for them in the police ground of the Nagapattinam the only place where the Helicopter can land. Sherlin's husband got permission to land on the police ground.

Khushi hugged Sherlin happily.

*He is Ratnama's husband...and he is her son* Khushi introduced Arvind and Arnav to Sherlin.

*Nice to meet you uncle... by Jesus's grace you got to know about Ratnama...*

Cutting her,

*By Khushi's grace...* Said, Arvind.

*Sherlin... we can start. Uncle is so excited to meet his wife...* Khushi said smilingly.

*Sure... we can go to Velankanni in our car...*

Sherlin's car driver started the car and all of them got inside the car. Ten kilometers of the road journey felt very long for Arvind and Arnav. Khushi and Sherlin also kept silent as they didn't want to test their patience.

The car stopped in front of the Home where Ratna resided.

*Uncle... we will check whether she is here...* Sherlin said.

Arvind nodded ok. Sherlin went with Khushi inside the home, looking for Ratna.

They saw her looking after the children who were playing in the small park in the home. Arvind had no patience to wait there... the man who lived without his wife for sixteen years wanted to meet her immediately. He followed Khushi with Arnav.

Sherlin came in front of her with Khushi.

*Hello, Ratnama...* Khushi said.

*Hey... you are....* she thought...

*Khushi...*

*Yes, Khushi Gupta... right?*

*Right...*

*When did you come?*

*Just now...*

*With your family?*

Khushi nodded NO.

*With YOUR family...*

Ratna frowned not getting her words. That's when she heard,

*Ratna...*

Ratna's breath ditched her... her eyes widened... she clutched the saree pallu tightly as she was shocked... the same voice which she heard every day before the Tsunami. Her eyes poured automatically. She couldn't believe that she heard it in real. But she believed it when she heard it again.

*Ratna...* Arvind called her again.

To be continued...

The next chapter is available on INKITT

Reunion

Hearing her name in Arvind's voice, Ratna turned around slowly and found her husband standing with teary eyes. Her eyes widened in shock. Tears slipped from Arvind's eyes, seeing her state. A simple cotton saree told him what life she is leading.