*40*
Khushi called Rekha once again with bated breath after getting zero response for her earlier call. As if waiting for this opportunity, Rekha turned back with an unfathomable expression and looked straight towards her eyes creating a sharp contact, “What do you want?”
“What Ammaji? I couldn’t understand…” Khushi asked back with a cloud of confusion coating over her already anxious frame.
“To the society, you’re still their maid. Till now, I hadn’t cross a single person who excludes your status. How do you expect me to accept you then? It’s your luck Arnav grew fond of you after your accidental marriage. If not…" She gave a pause before continuing, "Anyways, we have a reputation in this society. Neither I want to tamper it nor do I wish to separate you and Arnav. Now the ball is in your court.” Rekha’s cryptic contradictory statement made her more confused.
She couldn’t fathom what to do and what to say. Neither it isn’t her fault to be born and bred in a place which is considered as low in society nor it is her fault to entwine her life with Arnav. Both are destined. Then how can someone keeps her hold for that? But if only Arnav hasn’t intervened on her marriage day… her life would have been altogether…
However, Khushi managed to conclude from her speech, “What do you wish amma? Do you want me to part away from Arnavji or you want us together? Your statements neither conveyed both possibilities.” She asked firmly shocking Rekha. Rekha hasn’t expected this type of clear reply from her. In fact, she purposely made contradictory statements only to gauge Khushi’s reaction. So far, she knows Arnav’s love for her but not Khushi’s. She came here for the same, to test her love and her ability to adapt their lifestyle knowing the difficulties she might face when she come and live with them.
“That’s for you to decode and save Raizada’s pride!” Rekha replied sharply not giving the benefit of the doubt.
Khushi doesn’t know how long she stood there with the cup until Arnav shook her violently.
“Khushi what happened? Did mom said something?” He asked seeing a layer of confusion on her face.
Khushi shook her head in denial and was about to go inside when he held her and stroked her knitted brows softly with his fingertip.
Khushi pursed her lips and shove away his hand, “Papa and amma are inside.”
Getting the message in her word, he released a heavy sigh and followed her inside.
“How was your first day Khushi? Hope you made friends.” Raj asked casually as soon as they both enter inside.
Khushi smiled at him and shared a few words with him though Arnav followed her with doubtful eyes.
After a small chit chat, Raj and Rekha left leaving the couple alone.
“Khushi what happened?” Arnav asked again cupping her soft tender cheeks in his hard palm. His thumb caressed the skin near her lips in a soothing way encouraging her to open up.
Khushi wordlessly shook her head which he denied instantly.
“Don’t lie. I know my Jaan very well. She’s down all of sudden. Won’t you tell me the reason?” He asked in a husky voice trying his best to bring out her confusion but failed miserably against his stubborn wife.
“My head is aching Arnavji. I went out after a long gap na, that’s why…” She lied through her teeth with a determination to decode her mother-in-law puzzle on her own for their betterment as she’s not willing to bring him between her and her mother-in-law. It's their issue. Marriage doesn't involve only two people alone. It entwines two families. Since her immediate family doesn't share cordial relationship with them, Arnav parents become important to her. So she is not much interested in dragging Arnav and complicate things further.
“But Khushi…” He opened his mouth to argue further hearing her unconvincing answer but Khushi didn’t wait. She went to their room avoiding his eyesight. Arnav has no option but to wait for her to open up and believe her headache story.
Not a quarter-hour passed Meera voice boomed across the silent house, “Jiji… Coffee…”
Meera dropped her bag on the sofa and frowned seeing Arnav standing in the middle of the house.
Nearing him she asked, “What happened Jiju? Where is Jiji…?” and not giving him a chance to answer she yelled, “Jiji… JIJI… JIJI…”
“What the hell you want Meera? Can’t you take care of your needs for a day? Am I your servant to order whenever you want?” Khushi yelled coming out of their room.
“Jiji… I…” Shocked Meera tried to do damage control but Khushi glare shut her up.
“Did I ask something wrong? Why Jiji is angry?” Meera questioned Arnav in a whisper after Khushi left to the kitchen to prepare her beverage.
“She suffers from a headache,” Arnav said a convincing reply though he is also shocked to see this avatar of Khushi. Within seconds Khushi came back with a coffee and put it harshly on the table, “Here you go…”
Meera looked at Arnav who blinked his eyes urging her to carry on and he went behind Khushi.
“Get ready Khushi. We’ll check-up with the doctor.” He said entering their room.
She kept mum hiding her face inside the comforter. She doesn’t want distractions right now. She needs to think about Rekha's words and needs to find a solution without hurting anyone's feelings. Till then she cannot keep her calm & cannot inform this to Arnav also. Since she is not ready to take risk of informing this to Arnav who would probably complicate the matter by fighting with his mother in favour of her. There are high chances that would bring rift between mother and son. And she would never be a destructor of their love.
Arnav who saw her hiding inside the comforter by covering from head to toe, sat beside her & stroked her head.
“Khushi Jaan… Get up na…”
His soothing voice forced her to speak, “I'll be fine if I sleep for sometime Arnavji. Don't worry.” She whispered from inside tightly closing her eyelids.
“Ok. But you should inform if pain becomes unbearable.” Her tired voice made him swallow his questions and he pushed away the comforter from her head and begin to stroke her forehead helping her to fall into slumber. Khushi gulped her emotions feeling his pampering. She vowed to never hurt him and his parents who are the sole reason of his presence and his sweet understanding behaviour. But will she succeed?
The mere thought of finding a solution itself brought a true headache to her and that made her cuddle more into his lap. Arnav smiled at her gesture and kept caressing her head for sometime. Feeling his soft caress on her head, involuntarily she threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tighter to herself. Till morning her slumber continued and she even skipped dinner.
“Khushi… It's already morning and you're getting late for your college.” Arnav shook her sleeping frame.
Khushi sat up in jerk. Sleep ran away as soon as yesterday memory knocked her conscious. And her confusion also followed.
Seeing her knitted brows & tight lips painted with uncertainty Arnav went near her, “Khushi… Are you ok? Is your head still paining?” He asked in concern checking her body temperature.
Shoving his hand away, Khushi get down from the bed & went out without meeting his eyes but not before telling, “I'm much better Arnavji… We're getting late. I'll see what can I do for breakfast and lunch.” Saying this she escaped from there in a hurry.
Arnav frowned at her weird behaviour but time doesn't allow him to think further. He has some unfinished office work to do. So he skipped this matter temporarily.
…
“Hey Khushi… Concentrate on the lecture.” Varsha nudged the distracted Khushi who's looking outside staring at nothing in particular.
Seeing no change in her, Varsha poked her arm with her pen. Khushi shrieked in reflex coming back to reality. She gulped realising the surrounding and the pin drop silence scared her. With fearful eyes she looked at the professor.
“Out.”
Nothing was asked as the stern voice boomed across the classroom.
Khushi looked at Varsha with crying face who in turn blinked her eyes & gestured her to leave.
Collecting her things, Khushi moved out to canteen. Taking a corner seat, she sat with closed eyes. Various thoughts swirled inside her brain leaving her restless.
“Khushi what happened yaar? Have you had a fight with Jiju?” Khushi opened her eyes in surprise hearing Varsha's voice near her.
“Varsha… How you're here? Lecture?”
Varsha shrugged her shoulders, “Played a song on my mobile & she rusticated me from the class.”
Khushi glared her but inwardly pleased to see her care.
“Now stop glaring me & share what is eating you.” Varsha demanded in a way which Khushi couldn't deny. But she is hesitant to share when she hid even from Arnav.
“Nothing much yaar. A small issue in family.”
“Don't come to conclusion when you're confused or angry. If you keep thinking it always it'll look like a big issue. Leave it for sometime. You'll automatically get a solution.”
Varsha's words cleared the clouds away. Khushi looked at her with a grateful look.
“Hello… Hello… Don't ever come to me with your thank you.” Varsha said in a manner that Khushi laughed temporarily shoving away her confusions.
“You're beautiful when you laugh. Keep smiling Khushi. I'm sure your family also wants this.”
Khushi smile stretched, “You're sweet Varsha.”
“That I know.” Varsha raised her invisible corner with a laugh.
After speaking with Varsha, Khushi felt light in heart & she begins to wait for Arnav. But much to her dismay Aakash came to pick her up rather Arnav which didn't settle well with her.
***
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