38

Khushi turned back and came out fuming. She went to the temple to calm herself down. It did not help. She came home muttering furiously. 

"Aree Khushi? I thought you would come with Chote!" said Anjali in surprise.

"Chote? With him?" she asked and immediately coming back to her senses said
"No Di, he was busy, so I came back!" 

She went into the kitchen to help Payal struggling to fight her temper. Arnav walked in.

"Aree Chote, Khushi told you were busy!" said Anjali in surprise.

"What?" he asked confused.

"Khushi had come to your office and has returned five minutes back!" she said puzzled.
"Khushi...!" Arnav called out loudly. She suddenly became deaf. 

"Khushi, Arnav ji is calling you!" whispered Payal unable to gauge Khushi's reaction.
"I am busy jiji!" she said turning her back.

"Khushi...!" came another call and his figure appeared at the kitchen door.
"Khushi....!"

"Ji, your tea is ready. I will get it to the table in a minute!" Khushi said with her back to him.

He came out confused. "What has happened to her? Khushi came to the office and did not meet me!" he thought. Anjali understood there was something wrong.

"Jiji, take this tray to the table!" said Khushi handing over the tray to her Jiji.

"Khushi, what happened? Are you ok?" Asked Payal concerned.

"I am fine Jiji, just preparing for the dinner!" she said sounding very busy. Payal shook her head hopelessly and came out.

"Khushi?" asked Arnav. Payal shook her head. He got up and went into the kitchen.
"Payal, sit here and watch the fireworks!" said Anjali laughing.

Khushi was busy pouring water in the vessel from a jug. Arnav came from behind and whispered

"Khushi..!" she turned suddenly sending the jug in the air. He tried to catch it and slipped. The jug toppled on his head. Khushi stood there clutching her hand on her mouth looking at the scene with wide eyes.

Arnav had fallen down with his legs spread clutching the jug in one hand and catching the platform by the other. He looked at Khushi and exploded in rage. She still had clutched her mouth but her eye emitted smirk.

"Ohh! What happened Arnavji? How did you fall down? Lost your balance, is it?" she asked looking concerned but not moving an inch to help him get up.

He looked at her trying to get up. She bent down and thrusting her hand on his shoulder said under her breath

"This water will bring you down on earth!"
"What?" he asked angrily.

She turned and without bothering to help him, barged out of the kitchen. He got up drenched and came out with wet clothes.

"Aree, Chote? What happened? " asked Anjali hiding her laughter.

He ignored and ascended the stairs to reach his room. Khushi kept glancing at him sitting at the table. Anjali and Payal exchanged glances smiling.

Khushi took Arnav's cup and started sipping the tea, ignoring the presence of Anjalil and Payal.
"Khushi...!" came a screaming call. She again became deaf.

"Khushi...!" nudged payal. Khushi ignored and went into the kitchen and started cleaning the mess. 

Suddenly she was grabbed by shoulders and dragged by gripping her wrist. He brought her out and started climbing the stairs. He brought her in their room and glared at her.

"What was that for?" he asked her with gritted teeth.
"What?" she asked innocently.

"What were you trying to do down there? Hit me?" he asked her gripping her arm tightly hurting her.

"What? You lost your balance and slipped!" she was angry too.

"What? And why did you not meet me in the office? Di told me you were in the office this evening!" he yelled at her.

"What? Were you in your senses to meet me? You were having drinks with..." she did not complete her sentence. He lost his grip. He calmed down and said closing his eyes and taking a deep breath,

"Khushi.. we struck a big contract... it was only a small celebration! It was only a sip of Champaign!" he said softly.

"Oh yeah? With your GIRLFRIEND pouring the drink for you and your LADY CLIENT holding your hands? What did you do next? A dance party?" she asked him contemptuously taking a step back and hitting her back on the wall.

"Khushi...!" Arnav lost words to explain. He could imagine the scene he was in when Khushi might have seen him.

"Its ok, Arnavji! No need to explain! I can understand!" she said moving towards the door.
"Are you jealous?" he came back with his fighting spirit.

"Why should I be? I don't drink!!" she retorted yelling back at him, gesturing her thumb to her mouth. "And I don't pour drink in the glasses!" she continued her action bending forward with leg stretched back and hands joining in pouring position.. a perfect classical dance mudra!!
Arnav lost himself looking at her perfect graceful posture and came forward to touch her. She immediately turned and went out of the room stomping.

"No, Khushi.. wait!" he tried to stop her. A smile appeared on his face.
"So you are jealous!" he said smirking.

He came down for dinner to find his wife deaf and dumb. She completely ignored him. Anjali looked at her brother and raised her eyebrows questioningly. 

"Something is burning.... Di!" he said sniffing. Khushi glanced at them angrily and went into the kitchen again.

Arnav had a peaceful dinner and Khushi did not come out of the kitchen. He went back to his room and Khushi lingered in the hall whiling away time. 

*********** ********** ***********

He was gazing at the River from the window. The liquid silver was flowing in that starry night. He turned and came out of the haveli (Mansion). He stared at the huge casting gate of the haveli, took a step forward... stopped and turned back. He was suffocating, smoldering within. He came back to the window clenching his fists. He felt caged. Someone came into the room and he turned with a jerk.

A lady with Ghungat on her face approached with glass of milk. "Go away!" he yelled at her. She shuddered and stood there like a statue. He came charging on her. "I said, get out!" he screamed. She took a step back. He took the silver glass from the tray and threw it away splashing the milk all over. She paced backwards and ran out of the door.

"Clean this mess up!" he ordered. She came up with the mop again. He turned his back on her and gazed out of the window. 

"I have to meet her" he muttered.
"Chote Sarkar!" came a small voice. He turned back and looked at his tided room.
"You can go!" he said.

"I have to go back! I must go back!" he said with determination.
"You cannot go back!" an elderly figure appeared. 

"Why not?" he asked enraged.
"You do not belong there!" Came the answer. He clenched his fists in frustration. He felt caged.

"I have to go there, for the last time!" he said coming forward with a very calm and deep voice.
"We cannot risk your life! They will kill you!" said the elderly person.

"I can take that risk" he said looking at his gun on the table.
"No!" said a forceful voice. "The doors are closed forever!" 

He turned and banged his fist on the table in frustration.
"Learn to live here!" came a voice. He came back to the window.

"I have to meet her! I do not know how! But I have to meet her! I have to go back to her!!" his felt a surge of pain stab his heart. 

"Something is wrong with her... very very wrong... I must go back!" tears rolled down his cheeks he suffocated, choked. He was gasping for air!!

****** **********

"Arnavji!" someone was softly wiping off his cheeks holding him. He opened his eyes. His cheeks were wet. He looked at Khushi. She rested her head on his chest.

"Was it again a bad dream?" she asked softly. He held her tightly and closing his eyes said "hmm!" 

"This is all because of that evening drink!" came a scornful voice.

"What?" he pushed her away.

"Drink! .. liquor...!" she said sitting up. "This is all its effects!" she said again. 

He gaped at her. "Khushi...!" he pulled her closer resolving never to drink in her presence.
He closed his eyes. The smoldering and bereavement feeling still lingered in his mind! He held on to her tightly for support.

"What was that? Was it premonition? Was it a hint of separation?" he winced with the thought. 

"Khushi..! Be with me …. always….!" He cuddled like a child in her arms, safe and secure, pushing away all the gloomy thoughts! Khushi held his head to her heart.  He slept like a baby on the rhythm of her heart beats…!!