Part 12

Blue Moon Pub.

Shyam was looking at Akash helplessly who was trying to complete the bottle with "bottom sip". Akash was that frustrated no one could explain.

Shyam: Stop it Akash. You are getting "over". He stopped him to do so.

Akash: What to do when everything is getting "OVER"? My love, my life everything is over. Khushi herself told me that she won't marry me.

He started drinking the bottle again in one go. Shyam snatched it.

Shyam: Nothing will change except your health. Stop doing nonsense.

Akash: Everything because of that Arnav. He changed Khushi's mind. I won't leave him. He snatched my Khushi.

Shyam: Relax.

Aksh(screaming): No. I can't. Won't you do anything for me? Please make her understand.

Shyam: you are not in your sense. We will talk later. Let's go home.

Akash: Not until you say that you will get me married to Khushi.

Shyam: Akash, try to understand. It slipped from my hands.

Akash(cupping his cheeks): Don't say like that Shyam. Don't you know how much I love her?

Shyam: You should have showed it in the critical situation which you missed to do.

Akash: I agree I did a mistake. But for that don't punish me to this extent.

Shyam was silent. How could he explain that his own family is not ready to believe him this time? How can he support Akash? His mother demolished everything. Shyam knew how dominant and possessive Radhika is. But he didn't expect she would insult Khushi before the general public.

He himself couldn't forget that humiliation then it's not fair to expect it from his parents and definitely not from Khushi. He doesn't think, Radhika will let Khushi to live in peace if she get married to Akash.

RM

That was a Golden day in Arnav's life. There was no change in Arnav's routines which he was going through for a few days but in a reverse manner. He didn't feel hungry not like before but in over joy. He didn't get any sleep, not in stress but dreaming about Khushi with open eyes.

Finally, He could sleep only early in the morning. He slept without sensing that he was running out of time. He jerked from his sleep hearing the calling bell. That's when he sensed he slept "time-consuming". It's 09:55 am. He was still sleepy. He got up from the bed and went to open the door. Sleep flew away from his eyes in a tick. He was surprised seeing Shashi Gupta standing there with a smile on his face which he missed in the past days. Arnav rubbed his face by his palms not getting "what to do".

Arnav: please come in sir,(he moved aside giving space to Shashi) please be seated sir, I'll just come.

He rushed to the washroom, washed his face, returns in some minutes and sat in front of Shashi expecting him to start. Shashi was observing his nervousness smilingly. He broke the silence.

Shashi: Khushi agreed to marry you.

Arnav got stuck hearing the greatest news of his life. He switched his rooted gaze from Shashi's face while swallowing. Shashi amazed seeing his expression. It told him that how much Arnav was affected.

Shashi: I want you to come to GH in the evening for "further talks". This time I want everything to happen in front of Khushi, unlike last time. I want her acceptance and satisfaction in every step this time. Hope you understand.

Arnav nodded yes.

Shashi: But I'm not here just to invite you home. I want an interchange agreement with you before starting our "further talks".

Arnav's eyes rooted on his face to know "what was that agreement" and "interchange"?

Shashi: you should give your word if you want me to give my child's hand. Promise me you will never taunt about her broken marriage and you will keep her happy, always, because she already went through a lot. I don't want her to suffer anymore.

He extended his hands asking promise emotionally. Without taking a "second" Arnav clutched his palm tightly. That hold said, how firm he was in his promise. Shashi smiled sensing it.

Arnav: I will be there at 6'0clock SIR.

Shashi(smiling): SIR ERA was over. Call me UNCLE. You are going to "OWN" my daughter young Man.

That sentence brought a cute mixture of smile and blush on Arnav's face. He tried to hide it with his arching eyebrows while biting his lips. Shashi tapped his shoulder smilingly.

Shashi: we will be waiting for you.

He left from there leaving Arnav in cloud nine.

Evening

GH

Arnav arrived Gupta house. Shashi and Garima greeted him wholeheartedly. Shyam was also at home. Arnav took his seat and sipped the coffee which was given by Garima. His eyes were not stable. They were busy in seeking someone's presence. Didn't Shashi told everything should take place in Khushi's presence only? where is she? Shashi started his "further talks".

Shashi: we no need to say anything, you know very well what has happened.

Arnav was disappointed. Still, Khushi does not come out from her room. Is she hearing from her room like that day? What the...

Shashi(hesitatingly): We are in the state that we can't perform your marriage in a grand way, because people may think like we are not concern about that broken marriage...

He stopped hearing Khushi's opposition.

Khushi: So what dad?

Everyone who was present there got surprised including Arnav. He was happy seeing Khushi came "out".

Shashi: Beta, your marriage has broken...

Khushi(cutting him): That's why I want it happen in a majestic way. Equally, people will speak if we perform it in a simple way like, "because of my broken marriage you are finishing my chapter hurriedly". Why should we consider them? Who came to your support when Akash's mother accused me? I'm done with people Dad. And moreover why Arnav should bear all this? Doesn't he deserve his marriage to happen in a good way?

Shashi and Garima passed a glance like "is she our Khushi?" She never talked like today. May be her previous experience has taught her lesson. Shyam was more shocked than anyone. He was seeing her sister's unknown side. Her every word describing him how hurt she is.

Arnav was the one who didn't care about anyone. He was being awe of Khushi's lecture about people. This is what he wanted that day. If she had spoken to Akash on that day, the huge mess would have been avoided. But where did she suddenly get this courage? He wondered unaware of the truth that he is the one who gave her the strength to come out of that shell because she has Arnav for her support.

"MARRIAGE" is one of the heftiest word on the earth. It ties souls, gives lives, makes stronger when we get the right person as a partner. It can show real heaven if we get fingers interwoven companionship. No doubt Khushi got such strength from Arnav's gesture as she knew "ARNAV" very well.

Arnav: I agree with Khushi. I will take all the responsibility in our marriage as you already spent enough money.

Shashi: No beta. Money is not a matter. I just thought Khushi may feel awkward. If she is fine with grand marriage then I will be the happiest person to do so.

Arnav looked at Khushi who was not looking at him. He could understand her uneasiness. She is behaving like she is ok, doesn't mean she is ok. She needs time. He can wait. Let her take time to come out of the mess. He is here to help in doing that.

And they have to cross the biggest task, their so-called "friendship". It cannot be changed overnight. Though he was never on that web, like Khushi, he can't say it to her openly. At least not so earlier. Let's time decide everything in the flow of their togetherness. He gasped.

Shashi: I will confer with our panditji and let you know the date of marriage.

Arnav nodded yes. He couldn't believe his marriage is going to take place with Khushi. His happiness was not calculable. He got disappointed when Khushi did not look at him. He just wanted her to know how happy he was. But nope. She went inside leaving him all upset. What the... If you want to torture someone then say I LOVE YOU and stop talking.

To be continued.........