Chapter 16

Garima opened the door to find a delinquent Arnav Singh Raizada waiting outside her house.   

"Come inside bitwa.." Garima welcomed him inside politely. 

He followed Garima to enter the warm and cozy living room of  old Gomti Sadan. 

"Khushi is in her room upstairs. She is giving bath to Muskaan" 

Garima smiled at Arnav who seemed uncomfortable seeing her.

"Ahh Actually I came here to meet you also, I am sorry for whatever happened that day.I know its too late to apologize , still...   "

" Beta, If someone has to be blamed then it should be me. I should have talked to you when I came to know that you are Arvind Malik's son. It is my silence which destroyed Khushi's marriage. khair ab yeh sab bolke kya faida ? "

"No Aunty, I should have asked you about the truth instead of running away.." He sighed and continued "How's bauji now?"

Garima noticed first time he was addressing Sasi as bauji, but she did not show her surprise. 

"He can walk with the support of a walking stick now. He has gone with jiji for satsang, I was also about to leave when you came."

    He understood she was leaving to give them privacy. After taking leave from him, Garima left for temple. 

    He climbed 2 steps at a time and reached the first floor in no time. He looked around in confusion seeing 3 rooms in a row. Which one will be Khushi's room?  Suddenly he heard the a voice of baby crying from the corner room and involuntarily made his way towards it.

"Baby..  you will get sick if you play with cold water for long time, We will play again tomorrow  ok? Don't cry ... " 

Khushi was consoling a crying Muskaan who was not ready to come out of the bathroom.

    She entered the room with Muskaan in her arms from the bathroom. She slung the towel over her left shoulder and made Muskaan sit on the bed. He was facing their back. She sprinkled baby powder over Muskan's small body and put it back on the bedside table. After wrapping a small towel around her small body, Khushi placed her on her hip and turned towards the wardrobe to take out her dress . Then she saw Arnav standing outside the door watching them in awe. 

   His heart swelled with happiness at the sight in front of him. She was wearing a multicolored night capri and a round neck t-shirt with her hair tied back in a loose bun. He then looked at the angel resting on her hip, She was looking at him with her small shining eyes.  

    A strangled sob escaped him. He darted toward both and took them in a bone crushing hug. Mixed smell of baby powder and jasmine filled his senses. He finally found it again after 3 years, the missing piece of himself. when he left her before 3 years he thought he can live with that and eventually he can move on. But that did not happen in the last years. when he is holding them close he felt he got the lost piece return to himself to make him complete. 

"Mhhhh Ammaa.. " Muskaan let out a soft cry who was sandwiched between her parents.  

Khushi realized the position she was in, Suddenly she pushed Arnav away and took a step back. 

"I am sorry, I did not mean to suffocate her.." 

"Aap neeche jaiye, I will make her wear a dress and come down."

    He wanted to stay and see all those chores they are doing but he need to take everything slow. Out of excitement he breached her privacy and came inside uninvited. He did not want to make her uncomfortable so he left the room silently.

After 15 minutes Khushi came down carrying Muskaan.  He got up from the sofa and extended both his hands to take Muskaan, but she turned her face away and hugged her mother tightly.

"She is seeing you for the first time know, She won't go to strangers." She regretted the later part

when saw his face turned sad. She was not a person who says hurtful words to someone purposely. 

"You can show her that teddy, that is her favorite. " She told him gesturing towards a pink teddy lying on the side-table. He took it and showed to Muskaan and she went to him giving a heart melting smile. 

Arnav smiled back at her and gave a kiss on her chubby cheeks. He held her close to his heart and caressed her soft hair. He felt overwhelmed by the depth of love for the one who gave birth to his angel. He was a fool to let go of her. He will make up for the lost years with Khushi and his baby. He will make everything alright, he promised himself.

"Baby.. I am your papa" He introduced himself to his daughter in a tearful voice.

In response Muskaan giggled at him as if she accepted him. For the first time in his life his eyes filled with tears of joy. He saw his Di and Khushi crying out of happiness many times. But he never experienced it until now.  

Khushi was struggling not to burst into tears in front of him seeing the exchange between them. 

"I.. I will bring tea for you." She left from there making an excuse. 

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

Anjali snatched the cigarette from his lips and threw it away before he could light it.

"Anjali..  I did not smoke whole day yaar"  

"That is good.  Manage the rest of the day also without cigarette" 

"I told you I will reduce it , but cannot stop it fully all of a sudden."

Seeing her sulking face he put the lighter back to his pocket. They were standing in the balcony of his apartment enjoying the evening breeze.

"Thik hai, I will smoke after after dinner."

She playfully slapped him on his chest.

"Tum nahi sudroge" She sighed in defeat.

"Shayad.. but weren't you the one who found me appealing when I was smoking in the parking that day ?"

She suddenly turned at him surprised.

"How did you come to know that I found you attractive that day? I never told you about it"

He gave her a naughty smile and placed his hand around her shoulder. 

"I notice everything about you Ms. Raizada. I know you inside out." 

She gave a blushing smile and looked at him.

"Don't you feel tired?"

"Tired of what?"

"Tired of waiting for a 'yes' from the most complicated woman you ever met until now?"

He pulled her close to him and looked into her eyes.

"Sabr Ka Bhal Meetha Hota Hai .. Hai ha? So I am ready to wait for that, even if it takes a lifetime... Take your time. Don't say yes just to make me happy. You say yes only if you really want to marry me. I want you to be honest Anjali. To me and to yourself. "

Anjali nodded at him and they both stood there enjoying the comfortable silence followed.

Love,

ST