Part 22 Responsibility

GH

Khushi came downstairs, getting fresh. She was wearing a sleeveless full-length gown. Taking a coffee cup from Garima's hand, she came to the living room. She sipped the coffee relishing it. She has almost finished the coffee. There was a single sip left in the cup. That's when the calling bell rang.

*Amma...Babuji came...* Khushi hurried to the door drinking the last sip of the coffee.

She opened the door, shouting,

*Babujiiiii...*

Her smile got vanished because there was no Shashi but Raizadas on the doorstep. She hid the empty cup behind her back, widening her eyes.

*How are you, Khushi?* Ratna asked.

Khushi nodded ok awkwardly.

*Please come in aunty... come in uncle...* she stood giving them enough space.

Ratna and Arvind got in but Arnav stood not getting in.

*What happened, Chotte...?* Arvind asked.

*She greeted only you people... not me* he said looking at Khushi smilingly.

Khushi gulped down as Arnav spoke about HER. She thought he won't give heed to her just like he did in college but he did. She was about to welcome him,

*Arrey... Come in Arnav bituwa...* Garima greeted him.

Without any choice left, Arnav entered.

*Amma, they are Arnav's parents* Khushi introduced them to Garima.

*Namaste...* Garima said joining her hands.

Ratna and Arvind greeted her in return.

*Please be seated... I will bring you tea...* Garima was about to go to the kitchen,

*Amma... you be with them. I will bring them tea* Khushi said.

Garima nodded ok and she went to the kitchen whereas Arnav sighed. While preparing tea, Khushi dialed Shashi and told him about Raizadas' arrival. Shashi started, leaving all his work behind to meet Raizadas.

*Khushi is talking about you non-stop* Garima said.

*We are also talking about her.* Ratna said.

Arnav looked at Ratna getting amazed. It is true or was Ratna told that as a courtesy?

*We are here to thank you* Ratna said.

*It's not needed. It's our pleasure to help you Ratnaji... we are very happy that we got such an opportunity to do that*

*We should say you have brought Khushi up very nicely. She is a very good girl* Ratna said.

Garima smiled proudly.

They saw Shashi rushing.

*Namasteji...* he said.

Arvind shook hands with Shashi.

*Did you give them anything to drink or eat?* Shashi asked Garima.

*Khushi is preparing tea*

They saw Khushi coming with a tea tray.

*I couldn't believe it when Khushi told me that you are here* Shashi said.

*I told you we will come to your home...*

*Yes, you told me... I thought you will inform us in prior*

*We don't want to trouble you... that's why* Ratna said.

*That means, we will also come to your home without informing... not to trouble you...* Shashi cornered.

*We will be prepared always* Arvind said.

*What do you think? Would we let you go without having dinner?* Shashi laughed.

Ratna looked at Arvind who was smiling. Khushi served them tea. Arnav didn't take a cup as Khushi didn't look at him. Khushi looked at him frowning as he was sitting not taking the cup. Taking the cup from the tray, Khushi extended it to Arnav. He took the cup smilingly.

*You engage them. I will prepare dinner* Garima stood.

*No, Mrs. Gupta... we will come for dinner another day* Arvind said.

*This is not fair, Raizadaji... how could you do this?*

*We will come for dinner coming Sunday... what say Ratna?* Arvind asked.

*We are inviting you to RM the next Sunday. We will come only if you say yes.* Ratna said.

*We are so proud to be your guest* Shashi said and Garima nodded yes.

*Don't say that, Guptaji. If your daughter had not helped us, we would not have met my wife... our friendship is beyond the status...* Arvind said.

*Thank you so much*

*And... I came here to tell you something very important* Arvind said.

Arnav raised his eyebrows towards Ratna like, WHAT'S THAT? Ratna gestured to him like I DON'T KNOW. What is that even Ratna doesn't know?

*I want you to be the main dealer of my business*

Shashi was speechless. Arvind Singh Raizada wants him to be his main dealer. He looked at Garima who was also in the same state as Shashi.

A soft chuckle escaped from Arnav's throat, seeing Khushi become a statue.

*Come to AR tomorrow at 10 am. We will finalize it in writing*

*I don't know what to say...*

*You no need to say anything... we will meet in the office tomorrow*

Shashi nodded ok.

*By the way, what's your plan, Khushi?* Ratna asked her.

*I will decide after finishing my Master, aunty*

*Don't you have an idea to do the job?*

Before Khushi answered, Garima, did.

*No, Ratnaji... I won't allow her to do the job*

Khushi sighed in disappointment.

*Why, Garimaji?*

*She didn't want to get married soon. So, we allowed her to study. I won't delay and get her married* Garima said strictly.

Khushi looked at Arnav who smiled at her teasingly.

*But... doing a job won't harm...* Ratna said.

*It's all about her husband's decision... if he has no problem, she can do the job* Garima said.

Arnav's smile widened.

*With what qualities are you expecting a Groom?* Ratna asked which even Arnav didn't expect.

*The Groom should be a good boy with a good background... that's all we need* Garima said.

*Garimaji... let her complete her studies first* Shashi said smilingly.

*You will get a very good Groom for Khushi... don't worry* Ratna said.

As Khushi didn't expect,

*Khushi...* Arnav called her.

Khushi looked at him jerking, widening her eyes.

*Can I get some water?* he asked controlling his laughter.

She gulped down, looking at him.

*Water, Khushi...* he smiled.

She nodded ok and rushed to the kitchen.

*What happened to her?* Garima asked.

*Speaking about her marriage, you made her nervous* Shashi laughed.

*You are right. Marriage is an important part of a girl's life* Arvind said.

*A girl will be lucky if she gets a good life partner* Ratna said.

*However she should face the phrase...* Garima said.

Khushi came with a glass of water and extended it to Arnav.

*Arnav bituwa, Khushi is your junior in college. Please, take care of her* Garima said.

*You don't worry aunty... until I'm there, she will be safe* Arnav said like a sincere boy.

*Thank you beta...* Shashi said.

*My pleasure uncle. Khushi is my responsibility* Arnav smirked.

To do that, Arnav no needs anyone's recommendation because saving Khushi is the duty of his life.

In the meanwhile

*Why are you unnecessarily interfering with Khushi and Arnav's matter?* Manish asked Kishan.

*It's because I love Khushi*

*Whaaaat!*

*Yes...*

*Arnav loves her...*

*But Khushi is not...*

*But both their families have very good bonding. Arnav and Khushi may patch up anytime*

*That's why I'm trying hard... I have to make her accept my proposal before Arnav...*

*Do you think she would accept your proposal?*

*Why not? Arnav had already created a bad image in her mind. I will use that and will get her*

*If you behave with her rudely, how would she love you?*

Kishan looked at him thoughtfully.

*Tell me one thing... you never said you love her... how suddenly?*

Kishan sighed.

*Arnav is an unavoidable power of our college. He can't be controlled if he is happy... Khushi is his happiness. We should not let him get her...*

*So... you are not really in love with Khushi...*

*I will start to love her if she accepts my proposal...*

*That means, you are not sure that she will accept you?*

*Certainly not. And we can't underestimate Arnav...*

*What will you do?*

*I will do all the possible ways to get her. At the same time, we will make Arnav believe that Khushi loves me. If Khushi slips from Arnav's hand, he will collapse emotionally*

*What if he starts roaming with girls again?*

*It will be better and Khushi will hate him completely. Their family bonding will also break...* Kishan smiled devilishly.

To be continued...

The next update is available on INKITT

Kishan and Stella

RM

*So? * Arvind said.

Arnav raised his eyebrows confusingly.

*So...? *

*Your in-laws havbegivenveyou n the responsibility of looking after their daughter. * Arvind teased.

Ratna looked at Arnav to know his answer.