Khushi uninterestedly cooked something for Meera oblivion to the real world. Some carried excess salt and some adorned with no salt vowing to make Meera mouth bitter. Poor Meera, her complaints aren’t even heard by her dear sister who is lost in another world.
Meera worriedly noticed her sister’s constant vision on the main door “Jiji at least eat now. Jiju will be here soon. Where will he go leaving us? He will come.”
Meera tried to convince her sister for umpteenth time which went futile again. Khushi face remained impassive for all her sister questions. She doesn’t even opened her mouth for once yet and answering everything by a simple shook of head. If Meera tries to coax for one more time, she’ll broke down into tears for sure. She is unable to accept his absence after getting so used to his pampering. More than his absence, it's his carelessness towards informing her about his whereabouts disturbed her. Doesn't he remember, he has his wife waiting for him?
Doesn't his conscience triggered him to think about the ladies depended on him are spending their night lonely? Even though she doesn't want to think on this line, her mind is obstinate enough to carry forward what she doesn't want. Isn't that human nature? The more we try to avoid an issue, the most we get the same thoughts hitting us again and again.
“Even he wouldn't have eaten anything.” This is the first thing Khushi voiced out her answer for her sister question.
“And even Jiju wouldn't encourage you to stay hungry from Night.” Meera retorted not letting the chance to go off like that. She has put efforts like never before to get this simple reply from her sister. She's already disappointed with her new Jiju who almost succeeded in making her ever working sister inoperative.
“And I'll not encourage myself to stay happy when your Jiju is away without any communication.” Khushi told sternly packing her lunch.
“But jiji…” Meera opened her mouth to persuade her again only to get interrupted forcibly.
“You're getting late.”
Her grimaced expression & tight lipped poker face left no space for Meera to interrogate further. So Meera quietly left for her school as it was the only choice given to her.
Khushi couldn’t help but feel the vacuum inside her. Her heart goes restless remembering how she slept on the sofa itself waiting for Arnav. Only by Meera’s shocking call, she was startled from her sleep at early morning. When Meera questioned her about arnav whereabouts, she felt helpless and embarrassed as she has no answer. She couldn’t bear her sister thinking her husband in a bad light yet she has nothing in her hand to defend his absence. More than his absence, the question on Meera eyes for Arnav perplexed her. She & Arnav has already decided to raise her like their own child. Like any other mother, she too doesn't like Meera suspecting Arnav. She wants her to trust Arnav like she does. But situation is not in her hands.
She quietly settled herself on the steps outside the main door, giving worried glances time to time. Her fingers descended down habitually to clutch the hem of her dress & her forehead folds as her brows knitted in apprehension. Not even a minute passed she felt restless all of sudden. Hastily running inside the house, she took hold of mobile on her shivering hands. Her fingers clumsy clicked his contact & pressed the dial button. The automated voice replied her instead of him. Frustrated, she mentally scolded herself for not having any other contacts.
As if her soulmate doesn't like her scolding herself, he made his presence. Slouched shoulders, sleep deprived red shot eyes, aged within hours would depict his current state.
“Arnavji…” Khushi made a run towards him who met her in halfway & smiled a little.
Before Khushi could palm his cheeks, Arnav dropped himself on the sofa & threw his head back on the headrest. Khushi came behind him in no time and started to press his forehead gently. His eyelids drooped automatically.
“You look tired.” She declared scrutinizing his face for an answer.
Arnav scrunched his brows & rubbed his eyes as if to clear off his sleep & exhaustion. With the same tired eyes he held her messaging fingers, halting her process and looked up earnestly “Can I get a strong coffee khushi?”
Khushi smiled brightly at his request & sprinted like a rabbit to get the things done. Arnav lips stretched into a thin line as his eyes followed his little wife. Contemplating about something he closed & opened his eyes before saunter towards their room.
Khushi stirred the coffee adding her unlimited love contrary to the early morning scenario. On not finding him on living room, she averted her steps to their room. Her lips instantly adopted a bright heart melting smile as she heard his loud call. Kept the coffee mug on the table, she chirpily took the towel considering his voice was from washroom & she can hear the water running, she presumed he would’ve probably forget his towel.
“Arnavji…” She cooed with a blush standing outside the washroom, turning zealous with his presence & his dependence on her. However her zeal short lived by his reply.
“My mobile is about to die. Please connect it to power Khushi.” And that request washed off the blush from her face. Soberly she throw the towel back on the wardrobe & plugged the charger. The moment it came alive, their picture blinked on the screen escalating her mood better than ever.
Probably for others, it may be a simple romantic gesture but for her it implies more than a romantic feeling. It shows he is solemnly into their relationship not considering her as a mere responsibility which he proved many times in this short span. It strengthen the credibility factor as a girl like her who suffered under her drunk father only for shelter has gotten a trunk to spread further without having the fear of getting uprooted. It also came as a slipper shot for her doubting mind which almost believed that he forget her after mingling with sophisticated people. She smacked her forehead for her silly thinking and left from there to prepare his breakfast.
Quickly heating the breakfast, she arranged everything on the table & went to their room to call him only to jerk back seeing him pulling his pant up hurriedly. The sudden rise of her heartbeat instantly coloured her cheeks with a pinkish hue.
“Khushi where is my kerchief? I’m getting late.” He screamed.
Coming out of her awkwardness, she swiftly entered the room & fulfilled his request “Why don’t you take an off today? You’re looking tired.” She suggested politely seeing him hastily stuffing his pocket with necessary items.
“I already took many days off in this week.” He answered while buttoning up his shirt with his eyes fixed on the coffee mug.
Understanding his unsaid words, khushi took hold of it & placed it near his lips gesturing him to drink. He looked at her once as if thanking her and sipped it in a go. Khushi silently laughed at his urgency and wiped his lips with her dupatta and earned a quick peck on her palm in reflex. Before she could urge him to take breakfast, he was out even without a proper bye or a simple gesture. Her face paled in an instant & her eyes opened wide hearing his bike roar.
‘He went like that? Really? Not even a proper bye or goodbye kiss.’ Khushi made a cry face & realised how much changed she is? And how she begin to rely and expecting things from him.
‘He must be getting late. Stupid khushi… He’s already exhausted and here you’re expecting a romance sequence.’ A sane part answered her from inside but still she couldn't ease off the bad vibes that started to occupy her after his departure. His tired, pale eyes itself doesn't gave any good vibes. As the result her day is not easy like previous days. Whole day she felt the uneasiness not leaving her. She tried to distract herself from the thoughts by engaging herself in Home decors turning the house into her home yet some unknown anxiety kept her depressed. She even skipped the breakfast & ate only when her stomach cried for some food at past noon. She thought to give him a call & ask about his wellness but dropped her idea thinking to not disturb him as he already said that he has piles of work to finish to compensate his absence.
As her fingers smoothly played with the colour threads on making a plain saree to a colourful one, she heard the doorbell. Sighing, she kept aside the things before opening the door only to be left with sweet shock.
“Maasi.” Khushi shrieked in surprise as her maasi lurched forward to hug her.
Khushi welcomed the motherly love with a broad smile. All her anxieties washed away without a trace.
“Still she hasn't learnt the manners. Is this how you welcome your guest Khushi?” An annoyed voice broke the Maasi-Daughter duo.
“Sorry buaji. I haven't noticed you all. Come inside Phupha ji.” Khushi smiled apologetically & wondered how they find her house. Her query has been answered when Meera came in front of her vision. Though she failed to notice the person behind her sister who stepped in the moment Khushi turned her back to enter the house.
The four pair of eyes captured the spacy house, polished tiles which can be misunderstood as mirror, neatly arranged fluffy sofas, well embellished dining tables & decor, a computer which is yet to start its operation with surprise. Out of which only the single pair is happy about the development while others couldn't help but feel jealous of the luxurious life Khushi is living. However it's not that of luxurious kind but the independent villa burned their stomach. They couldn't digest the fact of a slum girl living a better life than them. As the universal fact, jealousy people usually express their jealousy by demeaning other so that they can keep their dirty thoughts superior and satisfy their greedy thrist. Khushi's relatives are no exception from the fact.
Unaware of their thoughts, Khushi immersed herself in hospitality.
Uma, her maasi lovingly gazed her sister daughter, standing outside from the kitchen. She can very well notice the drastic change in her niece. Her niece looks happier than ever she has seen in her entire life yet something is amiss which she couldn't pinpoint. Most probably her eagle experienced eyes can see through her niece soul.
“Are you happy Khushi?” She asked not wanting to give chances to her query bank to grow.
Khushi whipped around with a full blown smile adoring her face. Her bright face told many stories to Uma. Her Hale & healthy look and the extra glow also doesn't miss the oldy eyes.
“Son-in-law is keeping you happy right?” However Khushi face itself screams her euphoric, she repeated her question wanting to hear the answer from Khushi mouth.
Khushi eyes lowered in shyness while her head nods positively.
“Haaiyeee my daughter is blushing.” Uma teased, cupping Khushi cheeks feeling content by her answer and turned serious all of sudden.
“When I heard your father arranged your marriage secretly, hurriedly with a man who's not at all suitable for you, my heart almost stopped beating. How could you forget us in this situation? What if I was out of the town, you should've called me? I come to know this yesterday from a neighbour & couldn't control myself there & ran here to see you. I can't even imagine what would've happened if your father succeeded in his plan. Is this a thing to play? Now tell me, Son-in-law is nothing like your father right?”
Khushi bit her lips & pasted a apologetic look “Sorry maasi. It's not like you think. I myself came to aware of my marriage just a night before the date. We both tried to protest but I can't win against his drunk state. I was clueless & actually many things slipped my mind.”
“So you forget me?” Uma faked an anger for which Khushi hugged her in an assuring way.
“He's nothing like him. Don't even compare both maasi. Unlike my father he considers all my wishes & likes & act according to that. You know, he even persuaded me to complete my studies and encourages me to thrive towards my goal. He never makes me cry. He consider me as an equal partner. He keeps my taste in everything he buys for our house. Each time he sees me with his intense eyes, I feel like I'm at heaven.” Khushi spoke lost in another world which is filled only with love, care & affection.
Uma broke the hug, mesmerised by the way Khushi has spoke about her husband. It contains not only love but also respect which only few couples share between them.
“You love him.”
Khushi couldn't comprehend whether it's a statement or question from her maasi. Nevertheless her blush showed the truth before her brain fathom the question or statement whatever.
“Thanks to devimaiyya. I was afraid what if son-in-law is not on your favour. But now I'm content and will be more than happy if I meet him. And… you know your buaji & phuphaji will not come to you without reason?” Uma said the last part in an anxiety. The whole query session was only to confirm Khushi's potential strength to deal with her relatives else Khushi's unsaid expressions are enough for her.
“Are you going to keep us wait till dawn?” A taunt from outside startled Khushi who has turned anxious lately hearing her maasi menace about them.
She scurried outside with Uma trailing behind her.
Truth to be told, her buaji envied Khushi. Before coming here, she thought Khushi must be married to some local boy & she can rule her the way she wants. But seeing her living happily the demon inside them came alive.
And the fourth person that Khushi missed was her father who's now trying his best to convince his second daughter to come with him.
Breaking everyone reverie Khushi reached living room and spoke standing in front of her buaji “It's not like that buaji. I went to prepare something for you. It's first time you came to my house. You please sit down and…”
“And bear whatever insults you throw at us.”
“Buaji when did I insulted you?” Khushi asked in shock. She know they simply don't like her for some reason but she doesn't know even her each and every breath is misunderstood and come under their fury radar.
“Oh, I see. You've even learnt to back question us. People rightly said that money makes people blind. I'm seeing a live example now. The moment you got money & luxury you threw us away.” Her buaji spit venom for no valuable reason. They're not even living with her for them to throw this accusation.
Uma who is not able to bear useless accusations against her daughter raised her voice “Don’t speak rubbish just because you have got tongue.”
“See this is why I said not to bring her with us.” Her buaji complained to her husband and again took a verbal fight with uma “I'm not saying lie uma. Your sister's lovely daughter left her father after catching a well settled boy.”
More than sneering Khushi, her buaji's foremost concern is about her younger brother who happened to be Khushi & Meera father. Since Khushi & Meera left their house, she is scared of her drunkard unemployed brother occupying a room for himself in her house. She has no idea to entertain him with hospitality and all.
“Stop supporting her Umaji. Some unknown stranger married her & kept her here living a life far away from us. If it's not enough he even got Meera here.” Her Phupha ji interrupted with high pitch voice with a tinge of disgust on his voice. He's unable to digest the girl whom he rejected for his nephew got a better life while his nephew is still struggling to lead a life.
Khushi who has silently watched the fight got angered by her uncle statement which is carrying nothing but negative connotation against her husband. Her face hardened in no time and her eyes spat rage.
“What do you mean by he kept us here? He doesn't abducted me or forced me like you all. He MARRIED me LEGALLY. He has all rights to keep us anywhere. And who are you to speak against him? First look at your own family. You couldn't even stop your so called son from misbehaving with a school going girl who's more like a sister to him.” Her voice toned down as her memory lane travelled back to the time when the so called son of her buaji tried to misbehave with her when she has no idea about what is misbehaviour or abuse.
Uma rubbed Khushi arms in a consoling manner guessing where her daughter memory lays at the moment. It was she who reached the place at correct time that too unexpectedly & rescued Khushi before bad happens. She fought with Khushi's family and made them send their son away earning forever abhor for herself and her daughter from them.
Mustering strength from her Maasi, Khushi roped her black memories & took a deep breath “My door is not open for people who ill speak about my husband.” Menacing indirectly she showed the open door, unapologetically.
“How dare you Khushi? Do you think we're here to hear your arrogance? How can you leave your father to starve alone? First come to your house & take care of your sick father.” Her buaji started off with fume but ended with arrogance as if she own Khushi.
“This is my house. I will not come anywhere. If you want take your brother with you.” Khushi replied fuming inwardly at their audacity for coming here without shame and demanding her to act selflessly. She has enough of living for her father who cares nothing about her. Now she wants to live for her and she'll.
Her determination shocked the occupants and her buaji gone pale as what she feared was actually happening.
“Then send Meera with us. It's inappropriate to let her stay here.” Her phuphaji cunningly said planning to use Meera as an unpaid servant in his house.
“I can't trust you all with her.” Khushi replied instantly recovering from the initial shock. She can't believe the people she thought her relatives are actually stooping to new level just to keep them under their sleeves.
“Wow… You think she'll be safe here than your own buaji house? Clarify me one thing, Can you trust your husband with your sister alone if you wanna go out?” The moment he spit out the venom, he experienced a sharp pain on his forehead.
“Ouch.” Her phuphaji winced in pain, rubbing the place where he got hit.
It took few moments for everyone to gather what happened in front of their eyes. Uma stared at her daughter with open mouth.
There stood Khushi seething in anger & her whole body is trembling with fury, her fingers tightly clenched as a fist ready to kick anyone and her jaws are sharp & straight probably grinding her teeth behind the closed jaws. It seems her whole body is set on fire.
Meera gaped at her boiling sister for the first time & her eyes reprised between her and the pieces lying at the foot of her phuphaji. The pieces are nothing but the chunks of smartphone which Arnav bought for his beloved. The poor thing laid on the tea table and came handy when Khushi is in need of something to throw in an uncontrollable rage. The plain screen of phone is now transformed into miniscule pieces and dispersed over the area. And the plastic body frame is altered into an uneven shape.
“Out. GET OUT. I won't tolerate such sick people in my house. My husband is beyond your understanding so it's better if you stop poking your nose in my house matters.” Khushi's roar echoed on the room breaking the prevailed silence.
The occupants are still shocked by her outburst. They can't believe the girl who fear to raise her voice is actually gone ahead to hit a person.
“Had you gone deaf? I said OUT.” She bellowed seeing them not moving an inch.
“I'll see how you live without our support.” Her buaji challenged violently before giving a disgusting glare still digesting the reality.
“I lived without your support. And you'll see how I'm going to live without you all.” Khushi declared vehemently not able to calm herself.
Meera pressed her hand on Khushi shoulder in an attempt to calm her down. But instead she has to face her wrath “Go inside Meera. Don't concentrate on nonessential things.”
Meera looked at Uma who also gestured her to go inside. Sighing, she went inside.
“You're all still here?” Khushi raised her brows seeing them unmoving.
“Shut up you ungrateful girl. Settle my dues first and sleep with whoever you want.”
Khushi got starled by his presence and her throat choked with the awful words she heard from her own father. Tears brimmed inside the rim of eyes.
‘What kind of sin I've done to hear these kind of words from my own father? Doesn't he have an ounce of care or love towards me? How does he badmouth his own blood?’ She mused.
She opened her mouth to remark but words betrayed to come out. Groaning she gulped the tears and asked for last time deciding to quit everything once for all “What do you expect from me?”
“Marry the one I've chosen or pay the amount I've borrowed from him. I promised him to marry you with him when I took money.” He answered shamelessly making the blocked tears of her's to roll down.
However the shocks are not enough for the day that her father curled to the ground before Khushi tears could touches her jaw. Khushi lifted her blurred perplexed eyes and got another sweet surprise. It's her father-in-law who slapped her father for speaking rubbish. Her lips curled up in smile & tears stopped from rolling down.
“Not a word rascal. Aren't you ashamed to speak like this to a woman? And she's your daughter dammit. Don't think she's alone & you can bent her however you wish. She has her family with her. She's Raizada bahu. Neither my son nor us will allow stupids to demean our family member. Keep that in mind.” Raj Singh Raizada warned the members with sheer detest.
One of the person who admired & surprised by Khushi boldness is him. He came there to pick up his son for some serious issue but got shocked by the crowd and the way Khushi family behaved with her. And when her family badmouthed his son he's enraged beyond limit however his daughter-in-law surprised him with her actions that actually he begin to enjoy the scene quietly. The way she never let his son down in front of her family touched his heart. And only a stupid can miss to read the love & possessiveness on Khushi eyes. When Arnav came to house married he's not much angry but disappointed. Disappointed that he married an unsuitable bride. But after witnessing such a scene what else he expects for his son's life partner? Not everyone is born sophisticated and born educated. She can study and mingle with their lifestyle anytime. The displeasure dissolved in thin air when his daughter-in-law gave a sixer shot. When there's no detest, there's nothing stopping him from accepting her. Still he waited to see how Khushi manages her family. But his patience died the moment Khushi has been cornered by her father by an inappropriate words. So he decided to put a full stop to it and entered the scene.
When her buaji opened her mouth to say something Raj beated her conveying his thoughts first.
“Whoever Khushi loves is also our family. So don't even think of taking Meera with you. And do me a favour after looking after your 'Responsible’ son you should comment on my son's character too. Also keep dreaming about Khushi falling at your feet pleading for your support.” He told sarcastically and showed the main door.
They glared at Khushi and left from there defeatedly carrying the half conscious Khushi father. After they disappeared front their sight, Uma hesitantly moved forward and stood in front of Raj with a grateful smile.
“I don't have words to thank you for accepting my daughter even though they married without your consent samandji. One need a big heart to accept our daughter in your family since I know you would've dreamed big according to your status… I…”
“Please stop these formalities. I legit I'm angry with them at the start. Even when I arrived here, I was angry and disappointed but my daughter-in-law won my heart. Nothing is important than our children happiness. If Arnav and Khushi are happy in their lives whom are we to snatch it.” Raj uttered genuinely.
A thoroughly contented, satisfied Khushi lifted her dupatta making it a veil by covering her head, she bend down to take blessings of her father-in-law who without ego recognized her as their family bahu “Bless me pap.. uncle ji.” She changed her course of words thinking he wouldn't like her to call him as papa.
“Only if you call me papa I'll give you my blessings.” Raj catched her hesitancy and granted her equal right like Arnav.
Khushi looked up with misted eyes. Her lips trembled and stretched wide at the same time. Is this what people says right? If one door closes, another door opens. What if she lost her blood father, she got another father right. Even she got recognition as Raizada bahu which she not expected so soon. And also now she can realise from where her arnavji got all the good values and morals. She's half way succeeded in her mission. If his amma also accepted her, she has nothing to worry.
“Bless me papa.” A lone tear fell on Raj foot who instantly kept his hand on her and gave blessings.
“Did I said anything wrong?” He asked worriedly as khushi tears running non-stop. Khushi shook her head in denial as her brain failed to form a sentence. She's too overwhelmed to speak anything. Her arnavji father accepted her as his daughter just like her arnavji accepted her without any expectations.
Uma understanding her emotional baggage sent her inside “Khushi get something for him to eat.”
Making sure of her departure Uma averted her vision to Raj “Sorry for her behaviour samandji. Like every daughter she expected extra love and affection from her father but she never got it and none filled the fatherly figure.”
“You yourself accepted me as her father then why are you giving explanations for my daughter's behaviour? I can understand.”
Meanwhile Khushi came there with a cup of coffee which she had managed to make it in short time.
“P… Papa… coffee.” She instantly got a connection when he smiled at her taking the coffee mug.
Raj took a sip & noticed Khushi looking desperate fidgeting with her fingers, trying to say something yet hesitating to say openly.
“Anything you wanna ask Khushi?” He encouraged.
Khushi hopefully looked at him “Auntyji… Is she still angry with us?” Uma also expectantly looked at him.
Raj sighed “Everything will fall in place at right time khushi. Keep faith in your love.”
Both Maasi-Daughter duo face fell hearing that.
“Cheer up Khushi else your husband is gonna pick up a fight with me for making his wife upset.”
Khushi shied away whereas Uma and Raj laughed at her expense.
“Anyways you're fast & active Khushi. But I don’t know how you handle my lazy son.”
Khushi widen her eyes at the new revelation. Till now they didn't had time to notice each other habits. She mentally took a note to notice these things from now on. Since she was lost in these thoughts, she got startled when Raj made a 'Ouch’
Three pairs of eyes instantly lowered to scrutinize the floor and found the source. Khushi fearfully looked at Raj and bit her lips sheepishly. The posture Khushi made brought fits of laughter to the occupants. Raj stifled his laugh by averting his head and noticed Arnav entering into the hall after leaving his shoes out.
“Arnav be careful while dealing with your wife else you'll face the same fate like this.” Raj said pointing towards the scattered mobile while stifling his laughter.
Khushi gone pale taking his comment real “Nahi Nahi. I'll not behave like this with arnavji.” Raj & Uma laughed at her reaction.
Arnav scrunched his brows not getting head or tail. His father presence itself is not settling well with him & he's joking in this crucial situation. Khushi hurriedly ran & took his laptop bag. He frowned taking slow steps towards them.
“What is happening here?” Asked he loosening his cuffs.
“Ask my daughter.”
Arnav raised his brows in astonishment and looked at Khushi for an answer. Khushi flashed her all teeth to him and blinked her eyes in assurance. Their small eye lock got distracted by Raj voice.
“Arnav…” Raj give him a perplexed stare for which Arnav nods his head & scurried to their room.
Khushi trailed behind him like a puppy and the moment they entered, Khushi kept the bag on the bed & hugged him from behind. She tightened her hold on his tummy and kept her head comfortably on his back. His lips formed a wide grin from ear to ear and he entwined his fingers with hers. He flinched as she nuzzled on his back as if seeking some support.
“Hey… My Jaan looks extra silent today.” He whispered enjoying the effect his wife is creating on him.
That's it the dam broke letting the tears fall down on his back, damping his shirt on the process. Her hiccups increased as she took his shirt on her fist. Shocked by the wetness & her hiccups, he broke the hug and spun around.
“Khushi what happened?” He questioned helplessly, cupping her cheeks.
She shoved his hands, releasing her face from his hold & buried her face on his chest.
“Ibrokeyourfirstgift.” She mumbled on his torso.
“What?” He mumbled running his palm up and down on her arms.
“I broke your first gift.” She whined nuzzling his chest feeling very awful for breaking the very first gift he bought for her.
He stopped running his palms on her tender arms and stood clueless on how to react for the situation. He couldn't comprehend whether to cry at his fate or admire his cute little wife who's making a mountain out of molehill.
NEXT PART
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