Part 17 Mother's stand

Arnav was suffocated to see Ratna. Arnav didn't look at Ratna. Ratna was stuck for a while and smiled.

*Didn't I say you have brought him up well...?* she said.

Arnav and Khushi looked at her surprisingly, with an unbelievable expressions.

*It shows me how responsible our Chotte is... you didn't think of getting married for the second time because you didn't want Chotte to feel insecure. And Chotte would have felt bad seeing you struggling alone. That's why he should have asked you get to married... am I right?* Ratna said.

Arvind clapped gently whereas Arnav was looking at her unbelievably. He didn't know his mother is an understanding woman. Is she that optimistic? Khushi was also in the same state as Arnav. She thought Ratna would get upset but Ratna analyzed the issue as quickly as possible and made the situation smoother.

*I'm so happy about you guys because you love each other...*

Arvind tapped Arnav's shoulder smilingly.

*Dad... I understood why you didn't want to marry again... because Mom is awesome...* Arnav smiled.

*Yes... the human mind is a critical one. It compares everything and expects everything to be the best... when I know no one could replace Ratna... what's the point in thinking of marrying again?*

*You are right Dad... when we know something is the BEST... we can never replace it...*Arnav said looking at Khushi with a sharp gaze. She drank water hurriedly.

*By the way, how will be the celebrations tomorrow?* Arvind asked.

*There will be a MASS tonight. It will get over at midnight. A few people will cheer up children, wearing Santa costumes...*

*It will be interesting...* Arnav said thinking something.

*Yes... * Ratna said.

*We will give gifts to children at 12 o 'clock...* Arvind said.

*Yup... sure...* Arnav said.

Khushi was hundred percent okay with the idea because she likes celebrations. They decided to be waiting until the MASS gets over.

.....

The advertisement got a very good response. Within an hour, people started arriving at the church. Ratna was the one who interacted with them because of the language problems. She got satisfied with six people... three were male and three were female in that. Arvind asked Father John to give them appointment orders. Ratna sighed in relief with a lot of happiness.

*Thank you so much...* she said to Arvind and Arnav.

*It's our pleasure* Arnav said.

The biggest problem got solved. The caretakers of the home got appointed.

.........

Khushi got a call from Shashi. Ratna looked at Khushi.

*Babuji's call* Khushi said.

*Attend it... and give it to me after finished talking*

Khushi nodded ok and attended the call.

*Hello, Babuji...*

*How are you?*

*I'm fine and busy with the Christmas celebration*

*How is Arnav's mother?*

*She was very emotional in the morning. Now, she is alright and happy with her husband and son.* Khushi said smilingly, looking at Ratna.

Ratna smiled at her.

*It's great to hear...*

*Aunty wants to talk to you, Babuji*

*Oh, sure... give it to her*

Khushi extended the mobile to Ratna.

*Namaste, Sab...* Ratna greeted him.

*Namasteji...*

*We are very thankful to you and your daughter...* Ratna said, touching Khushi's shoulder.

*It's our pleasure, behanji... (Sister...)*

*You should come to our home with your family one day...*

*Definitely... after you settle down with your family* Shashi said.

*Convey my regards to your wife...*

*Sure...*

*I'm passing the phone to Khushi*

*Jee...*

Ratna handed the phone to Khushi.

*Ok, Babuji... I will talk to you tomorrow*

*Ok, beta. See you* Shashi disconnected the call.

*I hope your father is not upset with us...*

Cutting her,

*Upset...? He is very happy that we could make a family together again* Khushi smiled.

*Thank you for your help... I will never forget this...* she smiled gratefully.

*I know you can't forget us...* Khushi also smiled.

*Yes... the help you did for us is not just a help...it's something beyond that... *

*Leave it aunty...just enjoy the life*

They saw the children coming out of the Church as the mass got over.

The children started, dispersing from the church. Ratna stopped them and gifted them which made the children happy. They thanked them. Khushi was delighted, seeing a few Santa coming towards them wishing MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone. They shook hands with people. One of them came to Khushi and extended the hand for a shake. Khushi chuckled and shook hands with him. As she didn't expect, he pecked her knuckle. Khushi widened her eyes and laughed. She got horror stuck when he lifted the Santa mask and winked at Khushi. Khushi was horror-struck as the Santa was none other than Arnav. She pulled her hand back and looked somewhere gulping down.

*Merry Christmas...* He said smilingly.

Khushi went to Ratna and stood beside her silently and Ratna noticed it.

Not only that but also she had seen him kissing her knuckle. She was surprised. She didn't find anything wrong between them from the time they came to Velankanni. In fact, Khushi didn't even talk to Arnav. She spoke to only Arvind. Ratna thought, being a junior, Khushi was maintaining the distance from Arnav. But it seems something which she didn't guess. What does the kiss mean? Are they lovers? Or, does only Arnav love her? She wanted to know that. She decided to talk to Arvind about it after Christmas.

Father John arranged a place for them to sleep. Khushi fell on the bed and slept quickly as she was tired. Arnav also lay down on the bed. He couldn't believe he got her mother back. His life changed in a day upside down. His father was happy like never before. He let out a long breath and closed his eyes to get to sleep.

Arvind and Ratna didn't get sleep as they have a lot to talk about... especially, Arnav. Ratna wanted to ask about Arnav whereas Arvind wanted to tell her about Arnav and Khushi.

*Am I missing something?* She asked.

*We have missed everything... in the past years...* Arvind said.

*I mean, is there something that I don't know?*

*Don't beat around the bush. Tell me clearly*

*Is there anything between Chotte and Khushi?*

Arvind smiled.

*Your eyes are very sharp...*

*That means...?*

*Chotte loves her very much...*

*Khushi...?*

Arvind nodded NO.

*Why?*

*You said I have been brought him up very well... but it's not completely right...*

*What do you mean?* Ratna asked shockingly.

*No no... nothing is wrong... he was a little play a few months ago...*

*Until he met Khushi...?*

*Until he met with an accident... he roamed with girls...*

Ratna glared at him.

*Just for fun... and to show himself superior in his college... it was not hard for him. Because of his good look, girls died for him... without thinking of the consequences, he went on dates and got the name DATING KING in his college. But... he is not a bad guy...*

Ratna sighed.

*Khushi was not ready to accept his proposal because she thinks of him as a playboy*

*Then? What else she would think? I would also think the same if I were in her place...*

*Her character is almost like you...*

*Then, she will never accept his proposal* Ratna said sadly.

*No, Ratna... he really loves her... this is the first time he melts for a girl... we should do something...*

*What? What do we want to do?*

*Marriage... her parents will definitely agree if we ask her hand for the marriage...*

She looked at him shockingly.

*How could we do that if Khushi is not interested in Chotte?*

Arvind was silent.

*Just because he likes her, could you force her into the marriage?*

*Chotte will break down, Ratna...*

*If he likes her to that extent, he has to fight for her... It's very hard to get nothing in this world... and definitely not a good girl*

Arvind sighed.

*Let him work hard to get her...* she said.

*Do you think, he is not?*

*How...? Kissing her knuckle? It won't help him to get her but will worsen his image in her mind. According to your statement, Khushi wants a decent guy... until he became gentle, she won't accept him* Ratna said strictly.

Arvind sighed disappointedly. He knew Arnav. Don't know how he will take it.

But... the duo had no idea their talks were heard by Arnav.

To be continued...

The next Chapter is there on INKITT

Affirmation

Arnav got back to his bed silently. He was thinking about what his mother said about him. He didn't take Khushi's denial seriously till the day. His mother's statement made him think of it because his mother directly showed her dissatisfaction regarding his behavior towards Khushi.