2

"Don't worry! Nothing will happen! It will be a fun!" said papaji wrapping his arm around his wife.

"Hope so!" she said gravely.

Arnav and Khushi came home followed by Raj and his family. Tej was still morose with all of them as Raj had not allowed him to go with his uncle.

"Where is Di, Nani?' Arnav asked looking around. Khushi had reached Anjali's room by that time. Anjali came out of the room ready to go out somewhere.

"What? Where are you going di?" Aranv asked surprised.

"There was a call from Hospital! HE is critical ... he wishes to meet his wife!" said Nani looking at Arnav for support.

"What?" he screamed. "Di, what are you doing?" he blocked her.
Khushi had come out. Raj and Elsa were speechless. Raj repented for allowing papaji to go back. He understood the gravity of the problem.

"Di, Where are you going? Hospital? " Arnav asked in shock.

"Chote! He is serious and wishes to meet me! It’s all because of me! I must go!" she said quivering with tearful eyes.

"Di, he tried to kill you... to kill Khushi!" he held her hand.

"No Chote! I must meet him! I…I tried to kill him… I shot him..!" his Di had lost her mind. The shock had lifted. The reality that she had shot Sham was sinking in. Raj came forward with Elsa. Elsa spoke.

"Anjali, you can go and meet him. But first let Arnav and Raj go and see his condition! They may be of more help if need be!" Nani took a sigh of relief.

"Yes Di, we will go first and see!" said Arnav immediately jumping to the chance to keep his sister away.

"No! I will come with you!" she spoke loudly sounding little hysterical. Raj and Arnav looked at each other. Arnav thought for a while and said

"Ok Di. You come with us. I will just go and change and then we will go!" he looked at Raj.

He went to his room and dialed his lawyer's number first. He took his advice and then dialed Dr. Avinash's number. He told him about his Di's condition.

He came down. Anjali was waiting for him nervously. He looked at Raj and nodded. Raj looked relieved. Three of them went away.

They reached the hospital. Arnav knew that under no circumstance, he should allow his Di to meet Shyam. There was a constable at the door of his ward. He was kept in a special ward. Arnav asked the constable loudly. "Hello, how is the patient?"

"Oh! He is fine now and will be discharged tomorrow!" said the constable. Arnav looked at his Di. She looked puzzled.

"But the doctor said he is critical!" she said. "Its ok, Di! We will see!" said Arnav consoling her. He saw Avinash entering the hospital from corner of his eye. Avinash came in and Arnav greeted him.

"Ok! Let us meet him!" said Avinash looking at Raj. Arnav and Anjali waited outside while Raj and Avinash went to seek permission to meet the accused.

They came back with the permission and asked Arnav and Anjali to enter. Shyam was lying on the bed and was looking at the door.

"Raani Saheba..!" he called out with pain in his voice. Anjali started melting down forgetting the morning episode. She dashed forward but was held back tightly by Arnav. Arnav surpassed Anjali and came to Shyam's bed. Shyam looked nervous. The doctor on duty with Raj and Avinash appeared.

"He is perfectly alright, we will discharge him tomorrow morning! " said the doctor. "And now if you excuse us, I need to check him up!" he said driving everyone out.
"See, Di! He is perfectly alright! Don't worry!" said Arnav driving her out of the hospital. She looked lost in her memory.

They came home. She was still weeping silently. Arnav took her inside and looked at Nani to take care of her.

The dinner went on peacefully and Raj and his family left. Taj was cribbing to stay back with his uncle but Raj persuaded him and took him to the Hotel room. They all had a hectic day ahead.

"Arnav ji!" Khushi came from behind when Arnav was heading to his room. He turned back.

"I think I should stay with Di! She is devastated!" said Khushi. Arnav looked at his wife. Khushi was equally devastated. Her face still had dark marks of the morning incidence with her lip swollen. He felt a surge of pain in his chest. He came nearer, looked around and hugged his wife tightly.

"What are you doing?" Khushi pushed him away.

"Khushi, you go and have some rest. I will stay with Di!" he said softly. Khushi looked at him in surprise.

"Arnavji!" she said softly looking into his eyes. Both of them came down.

"Chote, Khushi, Anjali bitiya will sleep in my room!" said Nani. Arnav looked relieved.
"No, Nani! I am fine! I will manage!" said Anjali resolutely rejecting the offer.
"No Bitiya! You will stay with me!" said Nani holding Anjali's hand. But Anjali had again lost it. She had gone beyond rational thinking.

"No!" she said adamantly. Arnav understood his Di's mental instability.

"Ok Di! Fine! But I will stay with you!" he said. She rejected that offer too! She wanted to be alone and it was dangerous to keep her alone. Arnav looked helpless. He did not know what to do or anyone else.

"Di!" Khushi came forward and held Anjali's hand. Both of them had a hard look at each other. Both had gone through the same trauma, same turmoil, same experience. Anjali had tears in her eyes looking at Khushi's face.

"Look at this girl. A couple of days back she got married and what has happened to her and my Chote!!" Anjali thought with pain in her chest. She sobbed. Khushi left her and looked around. Payal came forward and said, "How about this? We will all sleep in the hall giving company to each other!" Everyone looked at her in surprise. This time Anjali did not reject. So it was decided that they all sleep in the hall.

Payal asked Ram Prakash to make the arrangement and went into the kitchen to get milk for everyone. Arnav gave Anjali the tablet which Avinash had prescribed. "This will make her sleep all night!" he thought. Khushi went upstairs to change and Arnav followed.

"Khushi!" he hugged her from behind. "I am sorry! We have to do this!" he said in her ears.
"What are you talking about? Is she not my Di too?" she asked him, turning in his arms and facing him. He had a hard look at his wife. 

“Yeah… She is!” He nuzzled inhaling deep… tightening his grip around her.  Khushi gauged his intentions..!

"Now leave me!" she said pushing him away. He did not leave her. "Khushi...!" he said huskily pulling her closer. She looked at him.

"Arnav ji, tell me what did you say in my ears in the evening!" she again had gone back on the same topic repelling Arnav immediately. He broke apart and turned his back muttering.. “Damn you! Not again..!”

She smiled "See! I knew it!" she said going away through the door leaving Arnav flabbergasted. He smiled and followed her.

All of them could not sleep for a long time engrossed in their own thoughts thinking about the future. Mami, Mama and Lavanya had retired to their rooms. Nani sat next to Anjali for a long time stroking her head, recollecting the memories of the first arrival of the kids Anjali and Arnav in her house in Lucknow! Arnav and Khushi gazed at the ceiling. Khushi was restless.  She didn’t want to close her eyes.  Sham’s hideous face flashed….! She got up wincing.

“Aao, Khushi Bitiya…!” Nani understood.  “Come here!” she beckoned.  Khushi slid her head on Nani’s laps.  Nahi stroked her head too. 

“Humm… ! The going is going to be touch for both of them…!” Nani looked at Anjali and Khushi…!

“Nani ji, Aap So jaiye…!” Khushi got up.  “No..! You too need a sound sleep tonight!” Nani said gravely not moving an inch.  Anjali opened her eyes with a start.

“Nani..!” she blurted.  “I am here, Bitiya.. with you…!” Nani assured her. 
“Nani… sleep here….!” Anjali thumped on the mattress.  Khushi smiled.  Anjali hid her face in Nani’s arms and closed her eyes again.  Nani pulled the blanket up embracing Anjali. 

Arnav suddenly sat up and said "Khushi!" she looked at him sitting up too! "What?" she asked.

"No call from papaji!" he said looking worried, searching for his phone. Both of them had left their phones in the room.

"He must have reached. He will call tomorrow!" said Khushi holding Arnav's hand. He stood up and marched towards his room and got the phones. Both had missed call from Papaji.

"See! I told you!" said Khushi. There was a message from her papaji that they reached in time. She smiled looking at Arnav. He too had received the same message.

****** ********* *********
Next day morning, Payal and Aakash woke up early. Aakash had got hold of the news papers first and had hidden them. Khushi was last to wake up. "Sorry!" She said sheepishly looking around. She hurriedly got up and dashed to their room to get ready. The bathroom door was locked. Arnav was inside.

She paced the room waiting for him to open the door. At last he opened. "What took you so long?" she asked angrily.

"What?" he was flabbergasted. "Is she going to restrict my time in the bathroom too?" he wondered

He shook his head and styling his hair went out looking at the time glancing at the closed bathroom door.

Arnav came down looking for Aakash.
"Aakash, news papers?" he asked in a whisper, looking around. "Bhai, maybe we can look at them later!" said Aakash gravely. Arnav nodded.

"Where is Di?" he asked. "Taking bath!" said Payal. Arnav went up to her bathroom. He was concerned, never wanted to leave his Di out of sight even for a second.

"She is Ok!" said Payal looking at Arnav's restlessness. She served breakfast to Nani, Mamaji, Majiji, Arnav and Aakash. Shyam's place was empty. Payal waited for Khushi and Anjali. Anjali came in,  pale and tired with swollen eyes. Arnav got up and got the medicine from the box and gave the tablets to Anjali. "You have to have this, Di!" he said. She nodded and took the medicine. They both waited for Khushi for a while and then Arnav sensed restlessness. He looked up. They all had finished their breakfast but there was no Khushi.

"I will go and check!" he was worried. Khushi had not come down yet. He jumped the stairs and reached his room in no time. He knocked on the bathroom door. "Khushi..!" he whispered. No response! "Khushi ..!" he called out loudly banging on the door.

"Hmm?" came a faint voice from inside. He was panic. "Khushi...! Open the door!" he banged the door again…. "Hmm? Coming!" said a voice from inside. In a few seconds she opened the door. He looked at her. She had not even bathed.

"What were you doing?" he asked her and entered the bathroom. Nothing had changed. He looked at her. She avoided his gaze and said in a guilty tone. "I slept off in the bathroom!"
"What?" he asked shocked.

 "Is this some kind of prank?" he asked her angrily but repented having said that. He looked at her red swollen eyes and realized the truth.

"Khushi, you were crying!" he said holding her arm.

"Um.. No!" she said moving away. He held her and looked at her intently. "Please... don’t tell this to anyone!" she pleaded. "I will be ready in no time." She said turning her back and reentering the bathroom. He waited for her. She came and they both went down.

"What took you so long?" asked Nani raising her eyebrows. They had no answer.
"Lagata hai, this pha... mera matbal hai ki ye saari ko, bathroom ka darawaja dhundhe ka padi.. ! This phati saari must have forgotten the door of the bathroom." Mami had forgotten her trade mark "hello hi bye bye!" she too was traumatized by the incident. Smile appeared on everybody's face.

"kaa he ki nayi nayi shaadi ke kaaran.. dimaag par asar pade ki hoi!" she said happily. Khushi blushed. Arnav could not take his eyes off. Khushi and Payal took their plates. Everyone else had left the table except Anjali. She kept looking at Khushi. Khushi avoided looking at her.

"Di! Arnav came to the table. Anjali looked at him questioningly. "We have to go!" he said seriously.

"Yes Chote!" she said getting up from the chair. Khushi stared at her back. Arnav placed his hand on Khushi's shoulder and said "Don't worry!" "Di I am waiting in the car!" he called out and went out.

Anjali got ready and was about to leave. Khushi was still at the table. Arnav came in and said "Di, we have to go in the evening. The time is changed at 4 in the evening." He said and went to his room. He was tensed up and was pacing the room. Things were not that simple as he had thought. He dialed his lawyer's number.

"What is it, Arnav ji?" came a voice from behind. He turned in a jerk.

"Nothing!" he said. Khushi came to face him "Tell me! What is it?" She was determined to get the answer.

"Khushi, you too may have to come with us to give your statement!" he said gravely.
"Ok!" she said looking lost in the thoughts.
“Khushi…!” Arnav held her hand.
"What else?" she asked raising her eyebrows. He looked at her for a while and then gravely said "Khushi, he has filed a counter complaint stating that you and Di tried to kill him!"

Khushi gave no reaction.  Arnav put his arm around her shoulder. She stepped back.  “I should have killed him…!” she said clenching her fists.    Arnav gaped at her not knowing how to console her.

"Ok! Understood!" she said and turned away. "Khushi...!"

"Don't worry Arnav ji! I am fine. I will come with you to give my statement!" she said and actually smiled at Arnav. Arnav gaped at his courageous wife. He knew, Khushi will face it bravely. He was proud of her. He came nearer to hug her.

She moved away and went out of the door. “Now what?” He threw his hands.

“Nothing!” came her voice and her figure appeared at the door. 

“Nothing… Arnav ji! You can’t do anything…! I will have to face it alone..!” she said not even looking at him.  He felt her anguish.  “Khushi…!” he leapt forward to hold her.  She moved away.  

 “It’s ok, Arnav ji, I will handle it…!” she raised her hand turning her back on him. He stood there like a statue unable to gauge his wife.

"Bhai!" Aakash was at the door. He thrust news papers in his hand and said "I am going to the office. You need not come. I will handle everything with Aman and please keep these away from anyone else in the house!" Arnav had already started scanning the papers.

Their wedding news with photographs was prominently printed in every paper. He looked for the other news which was missing strangely. He took a sigh of relief. They were spared at least for a day! He hid the news papers in his wardrobe. He was worried about the TV news channels but did not dare switching the TV on.

"I want a space in your wardrobe!" demanded Khushi standing before him.
"What?" he came out of the trance. "I said, I want a space in your cupboard!" she said again.

"Why? I mean I have made another one for you!" he said getting up and opening her empty wardrobe. She looked happy.

"I will arrange my things!" she said. "Wait a minute!" she opened the cupboard and looked furious. It was half the size of Arnav's wardrobe. "What?" he asked her.

"Only this much space?" she asked him angrily. "Why do you require more?" came a curt question.

"Look at my bags!" she said showing the scattered bags around.
"Learn to keep your things compact and tidy, Khushi!" said Arnav.

"What?" She was furious! She looked at her wardrobe and his once again and said
"Fine! I will!" she turned her back and went out of the room. He kept gaping at her with dropped jaw.

He switched on the TV.  The news relayed….! Repeatedly…! On his wedding…. On assault on his sister, Anjali and his wife Khushi! But surprisingly, the Wedding news had received more footage. 

The assault news was like a passing remark, saying, “The Wedding was marred by a trivial incident of assault on Mr. Raizada’s sister.  The newlywed reached in time and she was rescued…Investigations are on to nab the culprit…”  Arnav took a sigh of relief.  He changed the channel …!

His phone rang. "Bhai, we have a meeting with Mr. Mehta. I need the MOU papers!" said Aakash.

"Oh! Aakash they are at home. I will get them. I am coming for the meeting. I have to take Di to the police station in the evening." Said Arnav. He picked up his laptop, took out the files and went out.

Aakash and Arnav came home for lunch. Aakash was to go back and Arnav to stay back. Arnav went to his room.


"Khushi...!" he screamed at the top of his voice. Everyone downstairs looked up. Nani looked at Khushi. "Now what?" she asked Khushi. Khushi shrugged.

"Khushi...!" he yelled again. "Yes coming" shouted Khushi and went upstairs. Everyone else looked tensed.

"What the hell is this? Why did you change my cupboard?" he asked her grabbing her shoulders.

"What do you mean?.. and why do you require such a huge space when you have a couple of suits, half a dozen shirts and some new cloths!" She said scornfully.

"This is my wardrobe!" he said with ownership. "If you cannot manage in your space, I will make a bigger one for you too!" he said. She gaped at him.

"No need!" she said calmly. I have managed with yours and I am sure you will manage with mine!" she said actually smiling and adding fuel to his burning anger.

"Khushi... you.." he came on to her. She dodged him and went to his newly assigned cupboard and took out a box.

"These are your trophies!" she opened the box. He snatched it immediately and yelled at her "Who asked you to touch my belongings?" He was furious. He searched for the Safe keys.

She came and held his hands. She had tears in her eyes. He avoided her gaze.

"Arnav ji! Your souvenirs!" she said grinning at him making him more furious. He threw the box on the bed and the things scattered. She started gathering them. She had found her belongings hidden in his wardrobe and had kept them in that box . The torn dupatta stuck to door handle when she left his private room in the office. . Her broken bangles, beads, pearls, her red saree, her earring, her fallen bindi, her hairclip, her photographs .." she looked at him passionately and hugged him tightly. He stood there losing all his resistance and embarrassed for getting exposed. He went to his small cupboard and placed the box securely in it.

"Arnav ji!" she called out from behind but he did not stop or turn and went out of the room. She wiped off her tears and followed him to the hall.

She saw Raj coming in. "Raj bhaiyya!" she called out. "Where is everybody?" she asked looking around.

"Elsa with the kids stayed back!" he said and looking at Arnav said "Are you ready?" Arnav nodded.

"He is discharged and is in police custody!" said Raj.
"Arnav bete, I am also coming with you!" said mamaji.
"No, Mamaji! I will manage" said Arnav softly showing his gratitude for his help.
Raj and Arnav went to his study to have a chat. They were to call papaji.

Khushi's phone rang. "Papaji!" she said happily.
"Puttar!" said papaji "you have to go police station!"
"Yes I know!" she became serious too.
"Don't worry puttar! Everything will be alright. And do not sign on anything unless your lawyer asks you to!" advised papaji. She nodded.

"Take care of Ajali, Khushi...! " said papaji. "Yes papaji!" said Khushi. Her mood changed suddenly.

"Is that mummiji?" she asked papaji hearing her talk at the background.
"Yes. Talk to her!"

"Khushi! How are you?" asked mummiji signaling papaji to go away. He went away sulking. Khushi took the phone and went to her room.

"Khushi! Are you ok? Is everything ok?" she asked her foster daughter.
"Ye.. Yes mummiji!" Khushi said stuttering.

"Khushi, I know, the things are not going your way! But you have to have courage and support your family!" said mummiji gravely.

"Yes mummiji!" she said trembling with tears.
"Khushi! I have asked your papaji and he will manage everything .. you are coming for pug phere tomorrow! We will talk at that time!"

"um.. mummiji... I mean under these circumstances... I mean it may not be possible!"
"No Khushi, you all are coming! Papaji will manage everything!" said mummiji. Khushi nodded.