Chapter 14

    Khushi was unusually quiet when breakfast was served which didn't go unnoticed by the other three people sitting around her. Sree and Veena noticed she was feeding Muskaan absentmindedly.

"Is everything ok dear? you seem to be worried" Sree asked Khushi out of concern.

She looked at him and nodded with a small smile.  Khushi was done feeding Muskaan and started having her breakfast after keeping her in the walker.

"Usne tumhe call kiya tha kya?"  Vivek asked casually.

"Kisne?" She asked without looking at him.

"Arnav Singh Raizada ne" 

Khushi did not reply anything. She continued eating her breakfast. Veena who was silent until now looked confusingly at Vivek.

"How do you know he called?"

"Vijay told me yesterday that he passed Khushi's number to him. Seeing her unusually quiet I guessed he called.  Kya kaha usne Khushi?"

Khushi stopped eating and sighed.

"I cut the call before he could say anything " 

"So now you are feeling bad that you did not let him talk?" He asked after a while flicking an eyebrow up and down with a teasing smile.

"Y should I feel bad ?  " She raised her voice at him without realizing. 

Vivek's smile widened seeing her reaction.

"I don't know.. You should ask yourself.." and he started sipping his tea observing her keenly.

After that no one asked her anything. Vivek and Sree left the table after breakfast.

    She gave Muskaan a kiss on her cheek who was blabbering something in her baby language. Veena looked at both of them and gently touched Khushi's hand..

"Khushi.. I know it is your life.. we discussed this before also.. but .. I want you to think again.. don't you think Arnav should be informed about his daughter? "

She caressed Khushi's head and continued..

"Beta..  For a child both father and mother are important in life. Here her father is not even aware of her existence. At least Muskaan should meet her father once. Whether to accept his daughter or not, that is up to him, but you should do your part as a mother... He is in Delhi Since last 3 weeks but no one told him about Muskaan, not even Anjali.. That is because they all left the decision to you. If he tries to take her away then we all are here, we won't let anyone take your daughter away. Don't you trust us?"

"Of course I trust you all Aunty..  But I don't trust him, he always hurt me with his actions and words. I don't have the courage to live that life one more time. "

"Beta you are forgetting something.. Arnav must be the the same but you are not.. you are no longer that naive young girl who can be easily blackmailed.. You are an independent and a strong single mother.. Don't run away from the truth like Arnav did.. We all are proud of you.. You brought your child to this world without any support of his or your family.. You are a stronger and better person than any of us.. Then why are you afraid? " 

With that Veena left her alone with her thoughts..

   She spent her time thinking about it until afternoon.. Veena Aunty was right.. Muskaan should meet her father. What was her daughter's mistake in all these? Her child deserves her father. Also If Arnav comes to know from anywhere else then he will confront Jiju and Di for hiding it.. It can create more problem in the already stained relationship between the siblings.  She will tell him herself that they both have a daughter together.  But this time if Arnav Singh Raizada tried to mess with her, then he will regret it badly. She was not that naive Khushi who took all those unfair things threw at her without any complaints.

    Coincidentally Arnav's number flashed on her mobile screen in the very next minute. With the previous 28 calls unanswered, this was his 29th call since morning.

"Khushi phone mat katna.. Please hear me out.. Please..." She heard him pleading as soon as she answered the call. Arnav singh Raizada was pleading her? That was so unlike him.

Taking her silence as a positive sign he continued..

"Khushi.. Can we meet once? I wanted to come there but Vijay told me I should ask you first. Can we meet somewhere ?....    Khushi.. are you there? " Hearing no reply from her side he checked his phone if she was still there on the line.

"Yes.. I am listening.." 

He saw a ray of hope hearing her normal tone in her words.

"So.. Can I come over there ?" He asked her carefully.

"No.. Not here.. I will be leaving for Lucknow tomorrow. we can meet at L-14 day after tomorrow if it is ok with you.." 

He heard her abrupt and no nonsense answer in no time.

" It's perfectly fine with me.... " He agreed immediately.. She could feel him bubbling with enthusiasm. 

    He was about to ask her something but heard the beep tone and he realized she disconnected the call already. Atleast she agreed to meet him. He did not expect her to agree easily in the first place. A strange calmness overtook him after talking to her. 

    He went straight to Akash's room and knocked. Payal was surprised seeing a smiling Arnav at the door. He informed her that they can leave for Lucknow together in the chopper tomorrow. 

............................................. 

   Next day Khushi felt years of burden being lifted off from her heart after reconciling with her family. Buaji begged for her forgiveness for the things she said and did. She forgave her long back. But she couldn't forget. The wounds caused by them prominently by Arnav was still fresh in her heart. But She was grateful to her family for taking her under them when her parents died. 

    She was planning to stay with Payal and Akash but when She came to know that Arnav was staying with them instead of Sheesh Mahal She decided to stay with her parents. Tomorrow's Lunch Meeting with Arnav at L-14 was her another concern. Since the time she agreed for the lunch, she was feeling restless. Don't let him affect you again Khushi..  She warned herself. 

.............................................

    Arnav came out of his room after taking bath and walked towards kitchen from where clattering sound of vessels were coming. They landed in Lucknow yesterday 11 in the night.  He halted on his tracks and silently watched the scene. Payal was preparing breakfast and Akash was cleaning the utensils standing near the sink. Their house was not big as Shantivan. It was a 3 bedroom house with a study, kitchen and a small garden in the front. He instantly liked it for its homely cosines.

  Did n't he also dream about doing all these with Khushi? He wanted to live with Khushi in his apartment away from Shantivan after marriage. Just him and Khushi. He wanted to do so many things in life with her by his side. Even though he did not show it then, he was very much excited about his future life with Khushi.. For first time in his life he felt jealous of Akash. He wished if he had a normal life without any baggage of the past like Akash. No one could deny that Akash was a devoted husband. He fulfilled the vows he made during his marriage whereas he...

"Bhai... good morning"

His train of thoughts were interrupted by Akash's voice. He wished him back with a smile. His brother was a one lucky guy. 

"Breakfast will be ready in few minutes.. Today maid did not come so ..." Payal told him

"There is no hurry.. I will be there in the garden.. Take your time"  He assured her and left for garden.

Akash looked at his brother's retreating form and sighed. He was not sure if he can see the same Arnav when he will come back after meeting Khushi. He was worried about his reaction. He really hope his bhai won't lose his cool with Khushi.

Love,

ST