Part 23 Aman Mathur

Khushi came home and saw Suman sleeping as he watched night duty. Without disturbing him, she ate the biriyani that she made in the morning. There was a satisfactory smile on her face while eating. Preparing Biriyani for Arnav was her college-time dream as it was Arnav's favorite food. That dream came true today. Arnav had her handmade biriyani but Arnav was not hers. That thought ripped her heart. A lonely tear slipped from her eye. No matter how hard she tried to accept the reality that Arnav was not hers, the same reality of Arnav being someone's husband killed her literally.

After finished eating, she started doing the needed arrangements for the week. She always coped with her work whenever she got time. She was about to put the clothes in the washing machine, she saw it had already been done. She sighed. Suman finished it already. So, she hung out the washing.

She lay on the couch and watched TV. She wanted to sleep for a while but she didn't. if she slept today, the habit would carry forward the next day too. So, she never had a nap even though she would like to sleep.

After a while, Suman woke up. He came and sat next to her.

"Why do you wake up soon?"

"Will sleep the remaining sleep at night"

"Oh... did your night watch over?"

Suman smiled.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Nowadays, you are not giving attention to me" he smiled.

Khushi was stuck. Yes, she had been keeping his work schedule at her fingertip. After coming to Lucknow, she was lacking her concentration on Suman. How could she be concentrating on him when she had another one to do on?

"I... was in another tension, Sumi... I know from tomorrow you will watch day duty"

"Leave it... Tell me what tension you were in"

"Don't ask me about it... that witch came to school today" She said DON'T ASK ME, then, she herself started, telling him about it.

"Which witch?"

"Who else, the one who is taking Arnav's life"

"Oh, Sheetal?"

"Mmm"

"Today also she created a scene?"

"No... she didn't but me"

"YOU?" he raised his brows getting amazed.

Khushi told him about the scene.

"Wow, Khushi... you had done something very significant today"

"Significant? Why are you feeling so?"

"You would have become a center of attraction to your school and a notable person to Sheetal today... and one more thing."

"What?"

"Arnav would have known that you are still jealous of him"

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"I stopped her from hitting the staff... what's there to show my jealous?"

"The one would have understood who knew you well" he smiled.

Khushi pouted.

"You should have slept for some more time," she said.

"I want to spend my time with you... don't know how long I will get this chance"

Khushi looked at him jerking.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't know when will I be assigned for night duty again" Suman smiled.

"Oh..."

"Today, your handmade biriyani was damn tasty"

"Really?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah... I think you added something NEW in it"

"LOVE..."

"What?" Suman chuckled.

"I mean I cooked it with love"

"For me?"

"Of course..."

"Did you give it to Arnav?"

"Oh... mmm... I..."

"So, you gave it to him..."

"He likes biriyani very much"

"This is 10,487th time you are saying this..."

Khushi scratched her forehead, making a face.

"So, you cooked biriyani adding a lot of love... especially for Arnav"

"What to do, Sumi? If it is for Arnav..."

Cutting her,

"The special interest automatically raises?"

"Mmm" she pouted.

"Shall we go outing for dinner?"

"Oh, sure..."

"We will have ice cream after dinner. What say?"

"Double ok"

"Done"

Night

Arnav sent baby Khushi to her room with Fatima. He came back to his room and lay on the bed. Looking at the roof, he smiled, thinking about the tasty biriyani made by Khushi. He always asked her to prepare it for him when they were in college. He wanted to eat it from Khushi's hand. She fed him biriyani for many times when they had it in the restaurant. Those were the sweetest days of his life. His thought got broken hearing a knock on the door. Arnav sat on the bed, frowning. Had not Khushi slept yet? But why? He opened the door and got stuck, seeing Sheetal standing, wearing a revealing dress. She smiled at him sheepishly.

"Tell me... what do you want?" he asked without disturbance on his face.

"won't you let me in?"

"Could you tell me why you are here?"

"Can't you understand?"

Arnav gazed at her sternly.

"I don't know you are so innocent"

Arnav showed his palm.

"You don't have to do this... I won't run taking your property. Don't show your skills on me..."

"Are not you a man?" She mocked.

"I don't have to prove my manliness to anyone..., especially to you"

Sheetal extended her hand to touch him. Arnav shrugged her hand and raised his index finger.

"Stay away from me... don't make me show my REAL side," he said with a dangerous gaze. That made her taken back.

Taking his car key, Arnav left the house, kicking the main door. Sheetal was jolted by the noise.

Starting the car, Arnav drove off aimlessly. He didn't know how long he drove the car. He pressed the brake when he saw Khushi entering a restaurant with Suman. Without even thinking of anything, he followed them to the restaurant. He sat at four table distance and called,

"Bearer..."

Khushi jerked hearing his voice. She looked in the direction and got stuck seeing Arnav in the restaurant. Suman also was in the same state. He stood up.

"Arnav sir... you here?" he started walking towards Arnav's table.

Arnav also stood up, glancing at Khushi. Suman shook hands with him.

"How are you?" Arnav asked.

"Doing great" Suman smiled.

*Why won't you be great if Khushi is your wife?* Arnav thought.

"Why won't I be great if Khushi is my wife?" Suman said the same, making Arnav wonder.

"Khushi, come here..." Suman sat at Arnav's table. Arnav didn't sit but looked at Khushi to make sure she was coming to his table.

Khushi came with hesitation and sat in between him and Suman.

"By the way, you here?" Suman asked.

"I just..."

"Yeah, we too came for a change," he said.

The bearer came to their table.

"Orders, sir"

"Three Biriyani..." Suman ordered.

"Anything else, sir?"

"Anything else?" Suman asked Arnav.

Arnav nodded no.

"Chicken 65" Suman said and the bearer left.

"You like biriyani... don't you?" Suman asked.

Arnav looked at Khushi and nodded yes.

"Today, Khushi made the best biriyani of her life... She had made it many times but it never tasted like today... I think she added LOVE in the biriyani" Suman laughed making them embarrassed.

"Never mind... Khushi always makes anything with love. Am I right, Khushi?"

Khushi smiled awkwardly. Arnav didn't know what Suman was up to.

They had biriyani. Suman was the one who talked non-stop... his talks were related to Arnav and Khushi. they finished eating.

"Anything else?" Suman asked again.

"Ice creams..." Arnav said.

"Oh... which flavor?"

"Chocolate"

Suman smiled at Khushi and ordered. Suman tried to pay the bill but Arnav didn't allow him.

"No Sir... this is our treat... I'm the one who came to your place" Suman said.

"Yeah... you came to my place. So, I should pay"

"You didn't call us but we came to your place willingly. So, I ought to pay"

Not paying attention to his talks, Arnav paid the bill. They came out of the restaurant.

"We had a good time with you, sir," Suman said.

Arnav didn't know whether he should say, ME TOO or not.

"Bye," He said.

Suman kicked the bike and Khushi sat behind him. Arnav stood looking at Khushi until they got vanished from his sight.

He didn't feel to go home. He didn't like to. Sitting inside the car, he leaned on the seat, closing his eyes.

He could not understand Suman's stand. He behaved so friendly... his talks showed he knew everything about HIM. How could Khushi tell him everything? Were they that understanding? Why Suman should show he knew everything about them? Usually, no husband would do that because anyone would take advantage of using that. But there was no such hesitation in Suman's behavior. Arnav didn't understand anything about Suman. Within a few minutes, he drifted into sleep in the car itself.

He woke up only at 2o' clock. He checked the time and sighed. Adjusting the seat well, he slept again.

The next day

As usual, Arnav and Khushi started their routine in school. The day went smoothly without any drama.

After lunch, the peon came to Arnav's room.

"Yeah...?" Arnav asked.

"Sir, someone named Aman Mathur wants to meet you..."

"Aman Mathur?"

"Yes, sir. he said he wants to talk to you about something personal"

Arnav frowned. PERSONAL?

"Ok, send him in"

The peon went to call Aman Mathur. Arnav didn't know who Aman Mathur was. What did he want to talk to him personally? He closed the file and sat straight when he heard the CLICK sound of the door. Arnav was perplexed, seeing Suman entering his room.

"Aman Mathur?" Arnav shrank his eyes.

"Yeah..." he extended his hand for a shake.

To be continued...