Her Unexpected Husband- 41

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*41*

“What happened yesterday?” Arnav’s calm voice yet laced with anger reverberated across the four walls.

“What happened? Nothing.” Came a careless reply.

“Mom stop playing with words. I know you had something with Khushi’s dilemma.” Arnav came to point without beating around the bush. The thing happened which Khushi doesn’t wish to happen in the first place. It’s silly of her to believe Arnav wouldn’t get an idea about her disturbed state when she clearly got disoriented only after his parents visit.

“Oh… So you’re here to know the reason behind your wife’s dilemma… Hmm… Yes, I had some serious talk with her. It’s my duty to affirm with her when my son is head over heels in love with her. Doesn’t I have that much right?” She said in low voice looking at Arnav with an unfathomable expression.

Arnav threw a bewildered look but nonetheless questioned back with curiosity, “Are your doubts cleared now?”

Rekha denied wordlessly. Arnav face fallen at her answer. He’s tired of their tiff.

“I know you must’ve confused her. She’s still a young woman. Give her some time Rekha. Don’t stress too much on this matter.” Raj insisted on knowing how his wife behaves and handles a situation.

“Dad is right mom. She’s disoriented. She has all the qualities you expect. Move friendly with her, I’m sure you’ll get to know better of her. Till then don’t confuse her. She just started college. These unwanted distractions will reflect on her studies.” Arnav seconds his father and spoke in favour of Khushi as she feared.

“Yup, Dot. I was about to ask the same. Looks like father and son both are keen on making her an IAS, Is it true?”

Even though she’s is not in contact with her son, she knows father and son combo is working together to help Khushi to achieve her dreams. All thanks to Raj who’s keen on collecting materials, preparing a study chat and time management and all the things which would help Khushi to taste her success in her first attempt itself. His self driven motive is partially selfish. By preplanning all this he’s not only going to make a strong and honest administrative officer but also favouring his son. Earlier success in her career would only increase the chance of his son thinking of leading a happy life with an extended family. 

“What is wrong in that?” Arnav asked back in dilemma. 

“I don’t know whether you both realise the practical difficulties or not. There’s such a long procedure to clear civil services exam. She just began her graduation & it’ll take three years to complete and then confusion lies whether to go for post-graduation or giving out exams. Unlike other competitive exams clearing this one doesn’t take in a single go unless she contributes her whole time for preparation. Then how will she give her time to you Arnav? And it doesn’t stop there. Even if she clears her exam in a go, she has to undergo training of two years in Mussourie and then comes the difficult part. She’ll be posted anywhere across the country and will be transferred often. This whole process takes at least six years. Her career wouldn’t be stable in one place. How’ll you manage your family? It’ll be difficult for you to shift often once your family grows. I don’t want that. I don’t like to see you going through the same fate as me. I don’t want your children to yearn for your both love and presence when it may turn difficult for you two to stay together due to job locations and your different job field.”  

Arnav opened his mouth to interrupt but Rekha showed her palm in denial.

“I didn’t finish yet. My thoughts and concern might be silly and orthodox to you. But that does not going to change my stance. I’ve no qualms about her studies and her desire to work. I want your happiness only Arnav. Your happiness lies in her. So, I’ll accept her wholeheartedly. There’s no doubt in that. But, Our purpose in this life is not only achieving and earning money. Earning love and live a contented life is what fulfils our life. That’s what I believe. And also wish to see you live a contented life. Do you remember how many times you missed your dad at precious moments? Be it school award function, family get together, your birthdays, important festivals? I don’t want your children to go through the same. You shouldn’t miss what I missed.” Rekha took a pause and gulped her emotions before continuing further looking Raj through the corner of her eyes,

“Not only you Arnav even I missed your father. Neither he was with me during precious occasions nor during difficult times. I know it’s not his fault but… Family is our root Arnav. Happy or Sad, Excited or Low, Anxious or Carefree one needs their family to share inner feelings without a second thought on this judgemental world. You cannot be real you when she’s away and she cannot be real her when you’re away.” A drop of tear collected inside her eyelids clearly indicating her inner turmoil. More than twenty long years suppressed emotions are finally out. Hearing her, Raj also turned emotional. Taking a step near her, Raj gave her a side hug. That’s it, the dam broke. Never once she has complained anything to him all these years. But this time seeing Arnav standing at the same situation as hers she couldn’t help. All her hidden pain came out like a flood as she put her son on her shoes.

Arnav also went near them and hugged his mother, “Rey darling… Please stop crying na… I’ll also cry if you don’t stop.” True to his words a line of tear trailed down his cheeks when Rekha sobbed.

“It takes you this long to behave cordially with me. What did you think? I am that much evil to see my son suffer? Don’t I have the right to get angry with you when I am disappointed? Or Won’t you come to pacify me if I stop speaking? Today also you didn’t come for me. You came for your wife.” Rekha complained breaking the hug wiping away her tears.

“Won’t your son have half of your stubbornness? Forgive him na...” Raj said in a teasing manner trying to ease out the tension.

Rekha laughed mildly and held Arnav’s forearm.

“Rey darling… sorry…” Arnav apologized with a sorry face.

“Go and show this puppy face to your Biwi and pamper her,” Rekha said playfully feeling serene after venting out her emotions.

Arnav laughed at her play and hugged her neck from behind, “Rey darling… I want to eat your handmade food. It’s so long since I enjoyed my mom’s delicious food.” Arnav said fondly temporarily pushing away the matter. Truth to be told, his mother missed him as much as he missed her. He decided to mend his relationship with her first and it’ll be easy to handle her hereafter.

“Come… Come… Is she giving you proper food or not? You lost weight. And also looking pale. See how your shirt became loose?” Rekha hooked her arm on his forearm and dragged him to the dining table.

“Hey, Rekha… It’s time to get you glasses. He has put on weight. His shirt is in tight fix Rekha…” Raj shouted at their disappearing figure. But mother and son lost in their own land forgetting Raj.

Meanwhile, Khushi sat on the corridor itself waiting for him. Instead, only a message from him falls on her inbox informing about his whereabouts.

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