Epilogue

Suman and NK were ready to go to Canada. Suman packed all his stuff. Arnav and Khushi were also ready to go to Delhi to send them off. When they reached Delhi Airport, Shashi and Garima were waiting for them.

They took Arnav and Khushi to their house along with Suman and NK without giving an ear to their denial. Spending valuable time with Arshi and Guptas, Suman and NK got ready to go to Canada.

All of them went to the airport to send them off.

"Come to India whenever you get time," Arnav said.

Suman nodded yes. He saw Khushi with teary eyes.

"Don't make me weak Khushi" Suman said.

"I don't know whether I should feel happy for the new life awaiting you in Canada, or, should I feel sad for getting separated from a best friend like you," Khushi said choking.

"Feel happy about YOUR new life... Forget everything. This is the phase you had been longed for. Enjoy it to the fullest"

"You will come to India often, right?"

"Is this question necessary? Who else other than you I have for me? You are an Angel who held me back when even my parents didn't. I would not have gone to Canada if Arnav had not given the reentry into your life. But now, I will go full of satisfaction. He is worth waiting for. I'm not sure if you will take care of him but he will take care of you..." he smiled.

Khushi hit his shoulder with a soft chuckle.

"Take care of him"

Khushi nodded yes. They smiled at each other for a few seconds and shared a hug with tears which made Arnav emotional.

"Why Mummy and Sumi uncle is crying?" Baby Khushi asked sadly.

Breaking the hug, Suman looked at baby Khushi smiling.

"Nothing, baby... We are all right... Am I right, Khushi?" Suman asked.

They heard the final call. Taking his luggage, Suman smiled at Khushi and then Arnav.

"Don't forget what I said. Ask me if you want any help" Arnav said and Suman nodded ok.

"What did you say?" Khushi asked.

Arnav nodded no and Khushi frowned. Suman walked with NK smiling.

They got back to Lucknow and resumed their job.

Two months later,

As it was Sunday, Arnav woke up late and was taking a bath. Baby Khushi was having breakfast with Fatima. Hearing a calling bell sound, Khushi opened the door and found a woman standing.

"May I know who are you?"

"I'm coming from Fatima's village..."

"Oh, do you want to meet Fatima Chachi?"

She nodded yes.

"Please come"

The woman got in.

"Fatima Chachi is having breakfast. Please be seated. She will come"

"Thank you"

Khushi went to the kitchen without saying anything to Fatima because she didn't want her to eat hurriedly. Preparing coffee, she brought it to the living room and handed it to the woman. The woman looked at her hesitatingly.

"It's ok... I don't want"

"You look tired. please have this" Khushi gave it to her.

Taking it from her hand, the woman smiled at Khushi.

"Do you belong to Fatima Chachi's village?"

"Jee..."

"That means, do you know Arnav's mother?"

The woman got stuck and nodded yes.

"How is she? Is she fine?"

The woman nodded yes with an unnamed expression.

"She is happy because her son got married to the girl he loved"

"How does she know about our marriage?"

"Everyone knows... Fatima's son told us"

"Oh... does she know about your visit?"

She nodded yes.

That was when Arnav came out of his room and saw the woman. He gritted his teeth.

"What are you doing here?" he yelled.

Khushi was shocked, seeing him behaving rudely to her.

"Arnav, she is Fatima Chachi's friend..."

"Did she say so?"

Khushi looked at her frowning.

"Are not you Fatima Chachi's friend?"

"She is not..." Arnav shouted.

Fatima who came there, saw the woman.

"Ratna... you here?"

Khushi was stunned. RATNA? Was she Arnav's mother? She looked at Arnav.

"Is she your mother?"

Arnav said nothing but glared at Ratna.

"I don't come here to disturb you. I just want to see you once. That's all"

"You have seen us... you can go now"

Ratna was about to go, weeping,

"One minute" Khushi stopped.

"Khushi, I know what you will say. Please, don't make me say NO to you..."

Clutching his hand, Khushi dragged him inside. Arnav shrugged her hand off and closed her mouth with his palm when they came to their room.

"No, Khushi... please don't say anything"

Khushi pulled his hand down.

"She is your mother, Arnav..."

Arnav was about to speak, but Khushi closed his mouth.

"She did blunder... I agree. In fact, she too won't deny it. I don't ask you to forgive her. I too won't do it but, you have a responsibility. Being a son, taking care of your mother in her old age is your duty, no matter whether she is good or bad. You are a principal of a school. I don't want you to become a bad example to society. If you don't want to talk to her, fine, don't talk to her but let her be here"

"You are embarrassing me, Khushi"

"It's because I don't want you to feel guilty in the future. You may not feel it now. But, after her demise, it will prick your heart. As a son, just do what you have to. That's all I say" She removed her palm.

"Ok, but promise me, in her matter, you should not force me for anything more than that"

"Ok... I won't force you for anything"

"Honestly speaking, I don't like this"

She clutched her ears, pouting. Arnav rolled his eyes.

"Let's have breakfast. I'm hungry" She pulled him with her.

When they came out, Arnav went to the dining, without looking at Ratna.

"Fatima Chachi, make arrangements for her stay," Khushi said.

Fatima nodded ok smiling whereas Ratna stood with an unbelievable expression. Khushi was about to go, Ratna rushed to her and clutched her hands.

"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry. I didn't do that to refuse you"

Cutting her,

"I know... there is no use in talking about it"

She looked at Fatima and gestured for her to take her in. Fatima nodded ok and did that.

Khushi came to the dining. She knew Arnav was upset.

"Why didn't Sumi call me?" she asked.

Arnav looked at her and said,

"He called me yesterday"

"Really? When?"

"Afternoon. You would have been in the class"

"Mmm... it's been fifteen days since he called me" Khushi said.

"He must be busy with his job, Khushi"

"But, NK called me twice"

"It's because he is on night duty... so, our time synchronizes"

"Mmm"

"Don't worry, he will call you when he gets time"

Khushi was not satisfied. She knew Suman was not a person who would give silly reasons for not talking to her. But, to her disappointment, Suman never called her.

Months passed. Khushi tried to talk to Suman many times but he didn't attend her call nor did he call her. She was getting furious with Suman and Arnav, who continuously talked with each other. She felt like crying. Why the hell these guys were doing that to her? She sent him messages through WhatsApp. Suman saw them and reply them but didn't talk to her on the phone. She was fed up.

One year later

Arnav went to open the door, hearing a calling bell sound. He saw a beautiful woman standing when he pulled the door wide open. In no time, she hugged him tight and kissed his cheek. Khushi who saw the scene shocked. What shocked her more was Arnav stood smilingly. the woman looked ultramodern and so beautiful.

The woman smiled at Khushi and asked Arnav.

"Did you tell her about me?" Her voice was so sweet.

Arnav nodded no pressing his lips.

"I would like to stay with Arnav," she said to Khushi.

"What? Stay with Arnav? Who are you?" Khushi gritted her teeth.

"I'm his bestie... just like you"

"Arnav, what the hell is this?"

"Yes, Khushi... she is a nice woman"

"So?"

"I wanted her to stay with me..."

"You are so sweet..." The woman kissed him again. That made Khushi seethe.

"How dare you kiss my husband in front of me?"

"Oh... is it ok, if I kiss him alone?"

Taking a long step, she raised her hand to hit the woman. Arnav held her hand.

"Khushi stop... don't beat her. She is my guest"

"I didn't expect this from you, Arnav. How could you?"

"What I did Khushi? I don't think staying with her is wrong"

"Ok... stay with her... but I won't be here anymore"

"Where will you go, Khushi? Will you go to your parents?"

"Why would I go to my parents? I will go to Sumi"

"Sumi is not in Canada now"

"Whaaaat? What do you mean?"

"He is in front of you" Arnav smirked.

The woman blinked her eyes. Khushi was stuck. They saw NK entering laughingly.

"Sumi, you have passed the test" He shook hands with the woman.

"Sumi?" Khushi asked running her eyes on her tip to toe.

The woman shrugged her hair stylishly. Khushi closed her mouth with her palm.

"I... I just can't believe this" Khushi said widening her eyes.

"She is jealous because I'm so beautiful than her," Suman said.

Arnav and NK laughed louder. In no time, Khushi hugged HER.

"Damn it... this is why you didn't talk to me...?"

"Yeah, we don't want you to find the difference in my voice"

"You look so beautiful, Sumi"

"Thank you," she said, tucking her hair.

Khushi chuckled.

"How has this happened?"

"Do you remember, when you sent me off, Arnav asked me not to forget..."

Khushi nodded yes.

"This is what he talked about"

"Oh... you guys have planned it before itself?"

"Yeah... then why did I go to Canada? To get treatment..."

"Amazing... there is no single symptom of Aman... you are completely Suman now"

"Yeah, I understood that when you raised your hand to hit me" she chuckled.

"I'm happy to see you in the way you want"

"I too... it feels like I'm a free bird now. Thanks for giving me such a chance. If you guys were not there for me, it would not have happened. Thank you for respecting my feelings. Thank you for treating me equally. Thank you for everything." Suman hugged them all together.

Arnav, Khushi, and NK became delightedly for being the reason for Sumi's happiness. Didn't they know Suman like people also deserve respect?

The END.