Part 18

Arnav received a call. It's from Manorama.

Arnav: Hello Maasi.

Manorama: I'm sorry Arnow bituwa.. On your wedding day, I left you halfway...

Arnav: it's ok massi. Don't I know how you attended the marriage.

Manorama: Thank you beta, Where is my Bahu?

Arnav: she is in the kitchen. Do you want to talk to her?

Manorama: of course that's why I asked about her.

Arnav went to the kitchen and saw Khushi was preparing dough for Rotties.

Arnav: Maasi wants to talk to you.

Khushi showed her hands like "wait". Arnav stopped her before she washes her hands. She looked at him questioningly. Arnav tucked her hair stance and kept the phone. Khushi was stuck for some seconds. He gestured her to speak.

Khushi: Namaste Auntyji.

Manorama: How is "my bahu"?

Khushi: Doing good aunty.

Manorama: I called you to invite to our home.

Khushi: We will come, aunty.

Manorama: Today.

Khushi: Today?

Manorama: Yes.

Khushi looked at Arnav like "what to say?". He shrugged his shoulders like "your wish".

Khushi: ok aunty. We will come.

Manorama: we are waiting.

Arnav disconnected the call. Khushi looked at Arnav. He was about to leave the kitchen.

Khushi: Why did you want me to take the decision?

Arnav: Because this is your family. You are the responsible here, for everything, good or bad.

Khushi: What about you then? If I decide everything then what's your duty? Don't you have any responsibility in family?

Arnav: I will be behind you. I will hold you when you slip and lead you if you do wrong.

Saying he went smilingly. Khushi stood there mesmerizingly. She was not allowed to take decision ever before. Not even in the matter of, to whom she should marry. It was an honor, given by a man who should be honored.

She prepared breakfast putting excessive love and obviously Arnav liked it very much.

Khushi: Don't know, when I will get chance to serve you lunch. These people are keeping us engaged.

Arnav: Relax. Use it, when the opportunity is available. After that, these people won't pay attention to us. He chuckled.

Khushi: Yah you are right.

Arnav: Get ready.

Khushi: In few minutes.

Khushi got ready in few minutes as she told. Arnav started the car.

Khushi: Why car? Why not bike?

Arnav(smirking): I don't want your face look dull.

Khushi(smilingly): you think so much. Don't you?

Arnav: Maybe.

Khushi: We should buy some gifts for Aunty, Uncle and Nanne.

Arnav: It's there in back seat.

Khushi(surprised): when did you buy it?

Arnav: Before our Marriage.

Khushi: My God. You are a "Responsibility bundle" Arnav. (with joining hands) Please don't expect these kinds of gestures from me. I'm not so good like you. She said gulping.

Arnav: Relax. I'm here for you. He smiled at her while Khushi nodded ok happily.

They reached Raizada Residence. Manorama circled the Taali and welcomed them. Khushi touched Manorama and Manohar's feet. She shook hands with NK. Manorama sat with them and started chitchatting as she already finished cooking. Arnav gestured Khushi to give them gifts. She removed them from the car and gave it to Raizadas. Obviously they liked it very much.

Manorama(seeing the saree): Wow. Very good selection.

Khushi was about to say "Arnav bought it"...

Arnav: Khushi selected it.

Khushi looked at him surprisingly.

Manorama: Really? thank you so much beta. This is in line with my taste.

Khushi smiled at her.

Arnav: Khushi didn't you say that you want to ask about their "yatra"? He said raising his eyebrows gesturing her to ask about it.

He gave her point to talk about something without getting bored. Khushi understood his gesture.

Khushi: Ohh yah... How was your "yatra" aunty?

Manorama: It was amazing. Dwaraka is so powerful place Khushi. I prayed for Arnow Bituwa. See, he got married.

NK: When will you go there again mom?

Khushi(Chuckled): Why so urgent Nanne? Are you in love with someone?

NK: I'm not so lucky enough like Naanav to get such a sweetheart like you.

Khushi looked at Arnav who smiled at her nodding yes. She blushed and her concentration went back to Manorama.

Khushi: Aunty, Is this the first time you go to "Yatra"?

Manorama: No no. we are going every year to different places. Last year we went to "Amarnath".

Khushi(excitedly): Wow that's so great. Iced stalagmite Siva Lingam...

Manorama: But you have no idea how challenging it was for us to cross mountainous terrain. So thrilling. It is a 1500-meter deep valley. My Godddd... it gives goosebumps even now if I think that.

Manohar: Yha. Only I know how much she was scared. She refused to take a step ahead.

Khushi(interestingly): Then?

Manohar: I hold her hand and said, don't worry, If you fall then I will also jump.

Khushi(clapping): Wow... how sweet?

She looked at Arnav who rolled his eyes hearing that. Khushi was surprised seeing him doing that. Didn't he like, what Manohar said?

Manohar: Then only she slowly began to move, holding my hand.

Khushi: It shows how much you love aunty... Hey na uncle? (looking at Manorama)Aunty your cheeks became red. She chuckled.

Manohar laughed while Manorama blushing as until now no one have teased her like that. She liked Khushi's easy-going nature.

Manorama: You know Khushi, we were worried seeing Arnav was so rigid towards girls. We thought he would not get married. We can't understand what magic you had done?

Manohar: Haan beta, Arnav bituwa's heart was like a "cave" filled with dimness. May we know how are you illuminated it?

Khushi(sighed): How do I know that uncle? In fact, he just made my life bright and.....

Arnav(cutting her): Her smile is enough to make my heart brighter than anything.

He didn't want her to say or think anything about her broken marriage anymore. Khushi gazed at him dearly as he looked so sensitive while uttering that.

Khushi( made up herself): Aunty what did you do that uncle is so much in love with you? She changed the topic.

Manorama: I have some work to complete. She escaped from there.

Manohar: I will help her. He followed her.

NK: Let's go, guy, time to relish lunch. He looked so excited about lunch.

When Arnav was about to follow him, Khushi asked him,

Khushi: Why did you say that Aunty's saree is my selection?

Arnav: It's all simple tactics to get family members close to each other. That's all. People expect their daughter in law would be taking care of them. At the same time, Girl expects, her in-laws should treat her like their own daughter. And both of them expect another one to take the first step. So I helped you to do that.

Khushi: Uff... You are such a family material Arnav.

Arnav: After all it's my duty to make my family members think good about my wife.

Khushi: You are so great. If every man would have balanced their relationship like you do, there will not be any problem in families. (Pause) tell me one thing, don't you like what Uncle has said to Aunty in Amarnath?

Arnav nodded no.

Khushi: But why? Did not show his love?

Arnav: There is a situation to show LOVE. But Amarnath valley is not a place for it. He should have given her a confidant instead of Love. What is the use of jumping after she fell off? Will it help her to stay alive? Is it what LOVE? TRUST is LOVE. He should have given that to her.

Khushi(curiously): What would you have said if you were in his place? He looked at Khushi who was expecting his answer.

Arnav: "How will you fall when I am with you? I will not let you fall until I am alive."

His gaze was enough intensive when he told that. it chilled her spinal column. He smiled at her and left the place. Khushi was so delighted with his answer. She seemed to be safe in the wings of his love. Yes, people need courage in such a situation. What's there in dying together? It's all about living together and TRUSTING each other.

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