51

Khushi was busy doing her routine chores. Anjali was sitting at the table with Nani. Payal and Aakash had gone out. 

"Hello hi bye bye, Anjali, you are in a good mood today!" Mamiji opened the topic.
"Haan Mamiji!" said Anjali stealing a glance at Khushi. Khushi raised her eyebrows.
"Koi Khushi ki lottery lag gai hai?" she asked.

"Meri lottery?" Khushi was Shocked.

"Are phati saari, Khushi... Haipee, Hapiee, ... Happyness ki lottery lag gai hai kya?" Mami clarified.

Anjali smiled slightly blushing. She had received a call from Shondeep early morning. This time he ahd called her on her mobile. They had a long talk and Anjali's spirits lifted. Khushi was burning to know what was so cheerful.

"Di.... You look so cute when you are happy!" she whispered serving breakfast. Anjali blushed.
"Hmm... !" Khushi understood. "You know, nani? Shondeep sir had given me a task and I couldn't complete it. I think I should rush to work!" she said and went to her room.
Nani and Mami gaped at Khushi's vanishing figure.

Arnav was getting ready. Khushi entered the room. Arnav looked at her questioningly. She was smiling broadly and was muttering.

"What?" he asked. "Haan?" she was unable to assimilate and then collecting herself said "Breakfast!" 

Arnav was irritated. "What's so funny about it!?" he asked her angrily.
"Nothing!" she said hiding her smile. He grabbed her. "Are you hiding something from me?" he asked her with gritted teeth. She got scared.

"No! Arnavji!" she said with a soft voice wrapping her hand around his arm. He forgot everything.

"Breakfast?" she asked him looking into his eyes. He nodded. She left him and started searching for her phone. She picked it up from the bed and holding his hand dragged him out of the room. 

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

""ASR! I mean... if we can go together, we can finish the work in half the time and come back!" said Lavanya optimistically.

"What about your parents, Lavanya? And your personal work?" he asked her suspiciously.
"What? Umm.. I meam.. um ... it is not sure... I mean, I can come with you!" she said with a guilt feeling.

"Lavanya, are you alright?" he asked her sternly. "Ye.. Yes, ASR! I mean... I am confused.. I mean... I want to go to Bangalore... but you know I don't want to leave Delhi!" She said now confusing ASR.

"Forget it!" he almost screamed. "You are not going to Bangalore! And you are taking leave!" he ordered her.
"Um.. ASR! I am sorry!" she was almost in tears.

"Lavanya, gather yourself, and come back. I don't have time to take on all this!" he said looking at her angrily and turned his back on her.
She came out crestfallen. He turned and looked at her back. "What is she up to?" he thought.

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

"Lavanya, take this as an opportunity. It is good that he is going to Bangalore. You can have a heart to heart talk with Khushi ji. You know what I mean!" Sham was consoling her slyly. She just listened to him.

"I am sure he will not take Khushi ji along with him!" he said confidently. He knew next week was again the hearing in the court and Khushi's presence was necessary.

"But I don't want to leave ASR alone!" she said pathetically. She was trapped.
"Lavanya, listen to me carefully. It is good to stay away for a while to reunite forever!" said Sham.

"But, jijaji... what will I do here?" she asked him miserably.

"Lavanya, here is a plan....!" Next fifteen minutes, Sham explained her detailed plan.
"Ok. I will try, but I am not sure about this...!" she finally said not sounding confident.
"Don't worry Lavanya, everything will be fine. You will get what you want! Just do as I say!" said Sham convincing her confidently. She disconnected the phone.

"What am I doing?" she thought. "Oh God! Grant me a wish! Please... please give me my ASR back!" she prayed. "But is this the right way to win him back?" she thought to herself. She was confused. The method suggested by sham was way beyond her imagination. "How can I do this to Chamakili?' she thought.

"But, I know she is not a match to ASR. They are bound to be separated. She is the one who compelled him to get married. Otherwise we would have got married; at least stayed together. No! No! I will not let this happen. I will win him back. ..... Oh God! Why did I leave him that day? I should have gone ahead with our plan to get married!" she thought repenting and bashing herself.

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

The girl was sitting on the stairs at the backyard. Mali kaka was working in the garden. She had hidden her face in the arms clutching her knees. 

"Beti, give me some water!" Malikaka said in a bear whisper. She got up absentmindedly and brought the earthen pot for him. 

"Mali kaka.... Is he happy?" she asked him painfully. He just looked at her.
"He should carry on! I did!" she said gravely. Tears were waiting for her permission to roll down. Mali kaka felt a knot in his chest. Slowly he got up and said.

"He got married!" he waited for her reaction. He got none. He looked at her. She was staring unfocused. She got up in a slow motion and went inside the house. Mali kaka turned into a statue. 

"He got married!.... how is she?" she mumbled sprinkling water in the burning chulla, extinguishing the fire. She started cleaning the kitchen lost in her thoughts. 

"What are you doing?" came a shrill voice from behind and she dropped the vessel, splashing the water everywhere.
................

Khushi got up with a jerk to find Laxmi chewing the bouquet banging it down on the floor. She looked at the wide open door and glanced at sleeping Arnav. She sighed and shooed away Laxmi to go back to sleep closing the door.

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

"Is she beautiful?" a girl with ghungat on her face was asking the tall man. He turned to look at her. She was waiting for an answer. He nodded.

"Than me?" she asked. He did not look at her face. She had removed her ghunghat. He did not answer and turned his back again. He didn't even want to see her face.

"I am your wedded wife!" she said little loudly. His anger mounting, he clenched his fists.
"Get out!" he ordered her in a deep voice. "No! I will not!" she was rebellious. "I said, get out!" his voice was deadly. She did not move.

"I SAID, OUT!" he roared like a lion. She flinched and paced backwards. 

"OUT!" he said. She went out taking her ghunghat on her head again and crying.
"How dare she compare herself with HER?" he was fuming. He was pacing the room.
"I hate HER! Why didn't she wait for me?" he was burning, his heart pounding in his chest, he banged his fist on his chest in despair. 

He heard clinking sound. She had appeared again with water jar. She kept it down, poured the water in the glass and held out to him.

"I don't want!" he raised his voice. "Have some water, you will feel better !" she said calmly still drawing ghunghat on her face. He took the glass from her. He felt guilty.
"Look, never ever talk about HER again. No one can match her, understand?" he was enraged again.

"O...Ok!" she said looking at him frightened. He kept the glass and said "Go out and close the door!" she nodded and went out. He heard the bang.

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

Arnav opened his eyes with a start to see Khushi closing the door. He turned to his side and continued his sleep.



"Khushi, I may have to go to Bangalore!" Arnav told her in the morning.
"When?" Khushi asked.

"Day after tomorrow!" came the answer. "Actually, the Manager has resigned and I will have to take the charge from him." Arnav clarified.
"Hmm...!Ok. How many days?" she asked looking at him.

"I will try to come as soon as I finish the work. But it will take at least fifteen days!" he said holding her hand and locking his fingers in hers. She kept her head on his chest and said, "Ok!"
She knew, she had a Court hearing coming up next week. She felt weak. She looked at him. He was looking at her intently. He never wanted to leave her alone. His grip tightened on her fingers. She forced a smile on her face and said "Ok. Only fifteen days? I will manage!"
He took her in tight embrace. "Ok. Arnav ji, I will pack your bag tomorrow!" she freed herself and said turning away from him. 

**** ***

He was all set to leave for Bangalore. He grabbed her from behind. "Khushi!" he whispered in her ear. She closed her eyes never wanting to show her pain to him. He cuddled her gently and said.

"Khushi, I will be available on phone always!"
"Hmm...! I know!" she said clasping his palm. He breathed on her neck giving her goose bumps.

"Khushi, take care!" his voice cracked. She embraced him and said "Yes, and you too!"
He kissed her. She removed his hands and said "Now go! You will be late!" she smiled at him. His eyes reflected pain. "Why am I so pathetic, while leaving her?" he thought to himself still holding her hand tightly.

"Khushi, take care of everyone here!" he said seriously.
"Yes, Arnav ji, don't worry!" she assured him. He left the room with a heavy heart. She followed. He suddenly turned and pushed her back in the room.

"What?" she asked surprised.
"Khushi, don't keep seeing those damn dreams!" he looked into her eyes. She avoided his gaze.
"Where is your diary? Give it to me!" he ordered her. She looked at him suspiciously and pushed him away.

"No! I will not give you my diary!" she said stubbornly. He gave her a you-are-impossible expression. She twisted her nose and said "I understood your instructions, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada. I will not see the dreams!" he held her nose in a pinch and said "Follow the instructions!" 

"Sssss it hurts!" she complained. He immediately released her nose. They both came down.

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

"Hi Chamakili, how are you?" Khushi was surprised to pick up the phone.
"Hello, Lavanya ji,!" she greeted her. Khushi was in a conference with Shondeep when her phone rang.

Shondeep waited for her to finish the call.
"You know, Khushi, my parents are coming. Will you come with me for shopping?" she requested Khushi.

"Me? With you?" Khushi was surprised. The metal bowls flashed before her eyes.
"Yes, Chamakili, will you?" Lavanya asked her.

"umm.. ok! When?" she asked.
"Can we go now?" asked Lavanya.
"Now? Not possible, Lavanya ji, I am working now. Can we go in the evening?" she asked apologetically. 

"um.. ok, Chamakili, I will wait for you at my apartment!" said Lavanya and disconnected.
Khushi came back and said "Sorry Shondeep Sir, it was Lavanya ji!"

"Ok!" he said "Let us continue with the work!" she nodded and started typing the notes.
"... That's it, Khushi! Send me the first cut document!" he said concluding the session.
"um.. Khushi! Take care!" he said. "Yes, Shondeep Sir, thank you!" she said smiling and logged off.

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

50

"Aakash, Bangalore Manager has put down his papers!" Arnav gave him the news in the office after the meeting with the staff.

"What? When?" asked Aakash.
"Today, Aman is talking to him. I heard he is joining Raymonds!" said ASR.

"Oh! Ok. What do we do now?" asked Aakash.
"I am going to accept his decision." He said.

"Ok! What next?" asked Aakash.
"Let me think about it! Regi will help us for the time being…!" said Arnav. Aakash went back to his cabin.

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

"Lavanya, you will have to go to Bangalore. The Manager has resigned. I have asked him to hand over the charge to you!" said ASR.
"What? No! I mean when did he resign?" asked Lavanya in a shock.

"He is in notice period. Go there and take charge!" he almost ordered her.
"No! ASR, I mean I already have started working on a new project here! I can't go now!" she Protested.

"Are you saying NO to me? I haven't asked your opinion, Lavanya!" he asked her raising his voice in rage.

"No! I mean I can go. But ASR..." she pleaded looking frightened.
"Lavanya tell me by tomorrow, when will you go!" he dismissed her.


"Ok! ASR. But I don't want to go to Bangalore. We can send Aman!" she gave him an option.
"Lavanya, I need Aman here!" he said looking at her.

"ASR, I am here! I will help you!" she said brightly. "We will send Aman and find out another manager. I will call the head hunter!" she took charge.

"Lavanya, are you telling ME what to do?" he screamed.
"No, I mean... I gave you an option! I mean... ASR!" she came and wrapped her arm around him.

"ASR I don't want to leave Delhi!" she was desperate. "I got to finish some wok here!" she said finally.
"Work? What work?" he asked suspiciously. 

"Some personal work ASR! " she said looking at him scared.
"Ok! Finish off that work and go to Bangalore!" he ordered turning his back on her.
She came out crest fallen. She never wanted to leave ASR. "I have to find out and excuse not to go to Bangalore!" she thought to herself and went back to her cabin. She dialed a number.
"He is sending me to Bangalore!" she said on the verge of crying.

"Avoid going to Bangalore! Give any excuse! You are so close, Lavanya! Don't let it go!" said Sham's voice from other end. Tears rolled down from her eyes.

"Lavanya, listen to me! It's a matter of only a few weeks. Once the Court matter is decided, they are bound to separate! You are so close Lavanya. I know, you are made for him, his class! Think about it! Don't go!" he convinced her. She nodded and disconnected the phone.

"I have to think about something!" she thought. She was determined not to go to Bangalore. She couldn't leave her ASR at this point of time when he would require her support.
She went out and entered Aman's cabin.

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

"Balwindar, give me all the information about this Sham! I mean it!" Dasgupta was with Papaji.
"What? What happened?" asked papaji in surprise.

"Balwindar I want to study all the matters against this Sham!" he said.
"Ok. I will arrange to send it to your office!" said papaji.

"No! I mean I want to personally study those!" said Dasgupta.
"Personally? You? Das... is everything ok?" asked papaji worried.

"Everything should be, so long as I am there!" said Das smugly.
"Are you thinking of appearing?" asked papaji astonished.

"Yes, if need be!" he said seriously.
"What?" asked papaji getting up in a jerk.
"If I feel that the things are going out of control! I am going to handle the arguments in the Courts!" said Dasgupta calmly.

"Is there a problem, Das? Arnav and Khushi...!" papaji could not continue.
"Balwindar, I want the copy of every paper concerning the cases!" said Dasgupta.

"And don't worry! Nothing will happen to our Khooki and her husband!" he assured papaji.
"And keep ready my fees!" he said smiling. Papagi gaped at Dasgupta. 

"Wait a minute! Are you asking me fees?" papaji asked angrily.
"Yes, and you know I am pretty expensive!" said Dasgupta. "And if I am handling the cases, who will pay my fees?" asked Dasgupta.

"Oh yes. You are right! Let me see!" said papaji furiously.
"Ok! Balwindar I should leave now!" said Dasgupta. "Send me those papers!"

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

"What? He is asking me fees?" wondered papaji.

Papaji and Dasgupta had a very long relationship. They both were of same age and were together for a very long time. They both had shifted to Kolkata at the age of 20 and were struggling for earning. They both used to travel in the same tram at six in the morning and come back at 12 in the night. They shared the same room. Papaji had started his apprenticeship in a weaving mill and Dasgupta had joined a law firm. They literally grew together, sharing everything they had and pooling their finances at the end of the month to meet the ends. They got married and settled in their lives. Dasgupta had a daughter and a son; both settled abroad having a roaring law practice. Dasgupta had set his own class and only accepted contested matters. His law firm was among the best in India where one had to give entrance examination to join as trainee. 

When Dasgupta went to England for higher studies, Balwindar, who had set up his own factory by then, had supported Dasgupta's family. They stood by each other in sorrows and joys. Papaji was there when Dasgupta lost his wife and Dasgupta was a great support when Papaji lost his son, Tej!! 

**** **

"Biwi...!" Papaji called out loudly.
"What?" she asked him.

"This.. this Das is asking me to pay his fees!" he said angrily.
"What? Why?" she asked in astonishment.

"He may handle the cases, not sure, he said!" said papaji still confused.
"Ok! If he is handling the cases, we should pay him!" said Mummiji calmly.

"What? Pay my foot! I will not!" he said still fuming.
"Did he tell you the amount?" she asked.

"No!" he answered.
"You will have to pay through your nose, Balwindar!" came a loud voice from behind. Dasgupta had come back and was grinning.

"Biwi! See?" Balwindar clenched his fists.
"She is not a referee in our fight!" said Dasgupta grinning at Mummiji.
"Give me your car keys!" he ordered Balwindar.

"What? No way!" snapped Balwindar.
"Flat tyre! Give me your car!" he said again.

"No! take a taxi and go!" Balwindar was all set to settle the score.
"Don't fight like children, Balwindar, give him the car keys!" ordered Mummiji. Balwindar threw the keys.

"Thank you!" he said and turned winking at Mummiji. 

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

Khushi was with Naniji when the parcel was brought in by Ram Prakash.

"It was a huge Rose bouquet with a card attached. Khushi read the name on the card. It was for Anjali. "Shondeep sir? How Romantic!" she thought tearing open the envelop. Her expression changed She clenched her fist crumpling the envelop in it. 

"How dare he!" she hissed furiously. "What is it Khushi bitiya?" asked Nani looking at the bouquet. 

"Nothing naniji, its for me from Arnavji!" she said with a fake blush and took the bouquet out. She threw it on the flood with rage and asked Ram Prakash to throw it away.

She glanced at the card "Get well soon, Raani Sahebaa! Miss you!" read the card. It was clearly Sham's handwriting. He had drawn two entangled hearts. She tore the card into pieces and dumped the shreds into the dustbin. 

She looked around and stormed into her room. Another flower bouquet was waiting for her in the room. She gaped at it, going near it in slow motion to pick up the card.

“Chamakili, get well soon!” Khushi was aghast.
“Lavanya ji? Why did she send me the card and flowers?” she was puzzled. She dialed her number. 

“Hello Lavanya ji!”
“Hi chamakili? Did you get my card? How are you now?” asked Lavanya brightly. 

“I am fine! But why the flowers and card, Lavanya ji?” she asked sounding confused.
“Oh! Chamakili, had been to the florist and thought of sending you the flowers!” she said innocently. Khushi smiled mildly. 

“So nice of you, Lavanyaji, thank you!” she said. “Ok, Chamakili, got to go! I have a meeting with ASR!” Lavanya said disconnecting the phone. 

Khushi stared at the bouquet. She ran her fingers on the artistically arranged gerbera and orchids, in a shallow copper bowl!! She was overwhelmed by the good gesture of Lavanya.
“She is so nice. And.. I sometimes ..!: she felt guilty. She kept the flowers on the side table and rested her head on the pillow. She took in the beauty of the flowers.

“This Laad Governer doesn’t like flowers! He only has green plants!” she thought grumpily. “No! but he has some flower plants!” she thought over again and got up from the bed to go to the pool side. She turned to move and froze.

She turned again and picked up the bouquet. She looked at it again and came out of the room.
“Ram Prakash ji!” she called him.

“Ji, bhabiji?” he came running.
“Where is that bunch of flowers I gave you to throw away?” she asked him.

“Ji.. I throw them away!” he said looking confused.
“Where?” she asked him eagerly.

“Dustbin!” he said. She ran down to the dustbin and picked up the flowers and stood like a statue. She saw the same copper bowl at the base. She picked it up, plucked out the flowers and brought the vase to her room. Both the bowls were strikingly similar!! She was puzzled. She kept gaping at the bowls, suspicion growing in her brain she feared the worst. “Lavanya ji and Sham ji? Together?” she was shocked at her own thought.

“No!... No! I am imagining the things. I have become paranoid. They must have gone to the same florist” she thought reprimanding her devil mind, kept the empty bowl on the table and came out to go to the kitchen to prepare for the dinner.

The thought of the flowers kept lingering in her mind throughout. Everybody had gathered at the table for dinner and Payal and Khushi were serving. Everyone noticed that Khushi was unusually quiet. Anjali tried to cheer her up in vain.

Khushi avoided everybody’s gaze and quietly went into the kitchen. Ram Prakash was cleaning.
“Ram Prakash ji, when did you keep the flowers in my room?” she asked.

“Ji? Haan… When you were in Naniji’s room. The two bouquets arrived one after another. Yours first and then after fifteen minutes for Anjali Di!” said Ram Prakash.

“Yeah! Ok!” she said absentmindedly. “May be I am imagining things. But I should tell this to Arnav ji!”  she though resolutely. “But then.. will I sound stupid?” she again came back.
“But any way he thinks I ask stupid question..! So, I should….!” She kept on thinking about it.
“Khushi.. these flowers?” Arnav was surprised.

Khushi looked at the bouquet. “umm.. Lavanya ji sent it!” she said.
“What?” Arnav was confused. “Why?” he asked.

“I was not well, she thought of cheering me up!” she said forcing a smile. Arnav was gaping at her. He shrugged and went to change. She sat on the bed lost in her thoughts.

“Khushi, are you ok?” he asked her coming back and sitting next to her.
“um.. Arnav ji, Di received the flowers too!... from HIM!” she stuttered.

“What?” he got up with a jerk.
“I took them from Ram Prakash and threw them… I did not tell this to Di!” she explained hurriedly.
“Oh! Good!” he said taking a sigh of relief.

She took the metal bowl and fidgeted. “umm.. Arnav ji, I may sound stupid and paranoid”¦ but “¦!” she stopped.

“What?” he asked her looking at her and again sitting on the bed.
“umm.. I mean”¦ Di received Red Roses from HIM and I received this from Lavanyaji”¦ But the metal bowls in both the bouquets are same!” she finally spoke her fears aloud.

“What?” he took the bowl from her and lifted the bouquet from the table. He turned the empty bowl upside down and saw the sticker of the florist. 

“Lavanya? And Sham?” he couldn’t correlated.
“Umm.. it may be a coincidence!” spoke Khushi but a seed of doubt was sowed in Arnav”™s mind. 

“Yeah! May be” he said smiling at her and said “Ok! Khushi I think you should go to sleep now!”
“And you?” she asked jerking her head back and looking at him. His eyes softened, he looked into her eyes and asked in a husky voice “What do you want me to do? Work?”
She flushed. He knew what she wanted him to do!

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

“Lavanya, the bouquet was beautiful!” Arnav praised Lavanya. She was shocked to hear appreciation from him. This was not ASR. She gaped at him and said “Thank you ASR!”
“I bought it from the florist from the corner!” she said. 

“Lavanya, what is your decision?” he asked suddenly changing the subject. She never wanted to talk about it.

“umm.. ASR, I talked to Aman. He said the notice period is three months”¦ so may be “¦ I will go after two months and take over??” she asked him expectantly.

“I am relieving him after a month! Finish off your work and go to Bangalore!” ordered ASR.
“No! ASR, I have to be in Delhi. My parents are coming!” she was desperate.

“Oh, I see!” ASR looked at her piercingly. She immediately looked away.
“When?” he asked. “Umm.. I mean”¦ this weekend!” she said reluctantly.

“Ok. From next week you will be on unpaid leave for a month!” He declared.
“No! I mean”¦ no need, ASR! I can come to the office!” she said hastily.

“No need Lavanya, enjoy with your parents!” he said turning his back on her.
“ASR !” she hugged him from behind and said, “ASR, I know you will be over burdened! I will come to the office!” she said in a consoling voice.

“No need Lavanya, I made alternative arrangement with Aman and I am going to Bangalore!” He said turning to look at her aghast face.

49

"Hello Raani Sahebaa!" came a sly voice when Anjali picked up the phone wondering who it could be to see the unknown number.

She stood rooted with ghostly expression. "Raani Sahebaa? Are you there? Are you ok?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"What?" she could only ask.
"Raani Sahebaa! Please take care of yourself. You know, I got a nightmare yesterday and you ... you were very sick and hospitalized! I couldn't stop myself in the morning from calling you, Raani Sahebaa!" He said from the other end.

Arnav looked at Anjali's face and he took the phone from her hand.

"Raani Sahebaa, please take care, I cannot see you fall sick. Please.. please Rani Sahebaa, hope you are alright. You know I just can't stand the thought! Since I saw you yesterday..." he was saying in his silky voice.

"She is perfectly alright and don't you dare call her again!" came a deadly threatening voice. The phone was disconnected from the other end immediately. Anjali was still standing at the table motionless. She felt nauseating sickness.

"Di! Its ok Di. He will not call you again!" Arnav placed his hand on his Di's shoulder and made her sit on the chair.

"Ram Prakash!" he called out. "Get tea for Di and me!" he ordered. Khushi came out of the kitchen with the tray.

"Here is your tea!" she said pleasantly. She looked at the siblings and stopped.
"What? What happened?" she asked Arnav.

"HE called Di!" he said in a whisper.
"What?" she shouted. "Usaki himmat kaise huii? How dare he!!" she was furious!

"Relax, Khushi! He will not call her again!" said Arnav confidently.

"Why did he call?" Anjali asked in hollow voice.
"Pressure tactics, Di! Ignore his call!" said Arnav. But he too looked upset. 

"Di, don't pick up the unknown calls!" he said gravely. Anjali nodded.
"Don't worry Di, nothing will happen!" consoled Khushi. Anjali smiled faintly. Khushi knew how to bring smile on Anjali's face. She decided to call Shondeep later.

"Chote, I want to go to the temple!" said Anjali.
"I will take you to the Mandir, Di!" Khushi offered.
"I will take you both!" said Arnav turning to leave. "Get ready!"
"Chote has become a family man now!" Nani looked contented. She prayed God.

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

"Khushi..Khushi!" Payal came out from her room calling out for Khushi. Khushi was in her room and Arnav was waiting for Anjali and Khushi in the hall.

"What is it, payal? Khushi is getting ready!" said Arnav looking at Payal curiously.
"um.. nothing!" she said hesitantly.

"Are you coming to the temple, with them?" Asked Arnav looking at her.
"No! um... um..!" she hesitated.

He looked at her questioningly.
"Actually, I was cleaning the room ... an... and I found this in my old bag!" she said holding out her palm.

He looked at her hand and at her face questioningly.

"Actually, this is Khushi's Mannat ki Chabi! I had kept it with me!" she said causing Arnav to get up with a jerk. He took it from Payal and closed his fist. The memory of him throwing the chabi and she picking it up flashed before him giving him goose bumps. His chabi was with Khushi and now her chabi was with him. He pocketed it without a word. Payal lingered there for a while and went back to her room.

He put his hand in his pocket and held the chabi in his fist. Suddenly he felt the warmth of the chabi. He went into trance. The house around vanished and he went back to the Majaar where he had tied his lock since his Di had insisted and had confronted with Khushi. He smiled. 

"Khushi, now your mannat is with me!" he thought to himself.

"Chote, are you lost?" Asked Anjali shaking him. "um... no Di! Let us go!" he avoided looking at suspicious eyes of Khushi. 

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

They were at the temple. Anjali finished her pooja and Khushi was searching for some coins to distribute to the beggers. She searched in her bag and took out some. There was a key with the coins. She looked at the key and looked at Arnav.

"Arnav ji ki mannat ki chabi!" she smiled looking at the key and closed her fist. She felt warmth of the key. Arnav was waiting for them to finish their pooja putting his hand in his suit pocket. He suddenly felt the warmth of the key. He closed his fist holding it. 

"Arnav ji!" Khushi was standing in front. He looked at the still holding the key in his pocket.
She opened her palm and there rested his Mannat ki Chabi on her palm. She smiled at him and said "Your mannat ki chabi!" He smiled at her and took out his hand opening his palm too. She saw the key there. She looked at him surprised.

"Your Mannat ki chabi!" he said in a husky voice. The world around started vanishing. Everything went blur. They both closed their palms holding the keys tightly. "I asked favor for you!" her voice changed. "And I did for you!" he said hoarsely.

"Your key is with me!" she said. "And yours is with me!" he said staring unfocused.
"We will never forget each o.....!" they both said in a bear whisper. 

"What will you never forget?" asked Anjali astonished. They both came back from their dream state.
"What?" asked Khushi. Arnav turned his back and descended the stairs, still holding the key tightly. She hurriedly put the key back in her bag and said "Chalo Di, let us go back!"
Arnav or Khushi did not talk on their journey back. Anjali kept glancing at them thoroughly puzzled. She was missing something and Arnav and Khushi were finding something new about each other.


They came home. Arnav went to office and Khushi opened her laptop.
"Hello Shondeep sir!" she greeted him on video call. "Hello Khushi!" he responded.
"I need help!" she said narrating the incidence. "Wait.. I will call her. You talk to her!" she went out. Shondeep waited.

Anjali walked in. "Di, talk to Shondeep Sir! I will be back!" she said and went out.
"Anjali!" Shondeep had seen her after a long time. He just gazed at her for a while. She was looking down.

"Woh.... HE had called!" Anjali's voice quivered.
"Anjali, take it easy!" he came back to his senses. "Nothing will happen!" he assured her. She did not respond. "Anjali, look at me!" he said. She looked up.

Their eyes locked. He couldn't help touching the lens of the web cam. "Anjali!" he was hoarse. She wiped her eyes off. He felt helpless. He just wanted to be with her at this point of time.
"Umm... I am ok now!" she said forcing a smile on her face. 

"Anjali,... wish I was there with you now!" he said hoarsely.
"No! I am alright now!" she said.

Khushi entered the room. "Di, are you ok?" she asked squinting at Shondeep. He nodded.
"Di, why don't you visit papaji for a change for few days? They both will be delighted!" said Khushi brightly. Hope brightened up Shondeep's face. 

"No, Khushi, I am alright!" said Anjali looking at Shondeep and smiling. She felt better with the thought of visiting Kolkata. Khushi knew what to do and how to get invitation from Papaji.

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

"No, I can't do this! No!" the tall man was pacing his room restlessly. He looked pale. His manly charm had gone with grown beard and untidy hair.
"I can't!" he blurted. A old figure appeared at the door.
"What have you decided?" Asked the old man.
"Nothing! I can't!" he said angrily.
"You are brought in to take over. You need someone to carry it further!" said the old man.
"No! I don't care!" the man turned his face.
"You should! The others are good for nothing. We need a strong descendent!" said the old man practically.
"You are the only hope!" he continued. The man shook his head.
"No!" he said.
""No is not an option! I am waiting!" said the old man.
"What do you want me to do?" the man asked frustrated. "I can't love anyone! I can't carry on!" he was in agony.
"Marriage has nothing to do with love!" said the old man gravely.
"What?" the man was shocked.
"Marriage is to bear children!" said the old man again.
"What the hell are you talking about?" the man asked furiously.
"I am being practical!" the old man said. "I cannot wait! You will do as I say!"
"No!" he shouted at his back.
"No!" shouted Arnav and woke up. He looked around. Khushi was fast asleep and was smiling in her  sleep. He pulled her closer. "Khushi!" he buried his face in her arms! 

**** ****

"Chote, I want to talk to you!" said nani at the table when Arnav came down for his morning tea. 

"Ok, Nani!" he said looking around.
"Come to my room while going to the office!" she said. He nodded.

"What is it Nani?" asked Arnav in her room.
"Chote, I know, it your business matter, but I think you should rethink about working with Ms Kasyap!" Nani came directly to the point.

"What? What is your problem Nani?" Arnav was confused.
"She works in my office. That's it!" said Arnav looking at Nani.
"She may be just that for you, but she is trying to be more than that!" said Nani. Arnav was puzzled.

"What? Why are you thinking about her?" he asked raising his voice.

"Chote, I just expressed my fears. It's up to you to take it or leave it!" Nani said in a stern voice. 

Arnav looked confused. "What problem Nani could have, if Lavanya works with me?" he was puzzled.

"Ok, Nani! I will think about it!" he said and turned to leave.
"Hope you think about it soon before its too late!" Nani thought gravely.

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

Khushi went to Anjali's room. She was whiling away time, waiting for something. Anjali's phone rang.

"Di, its me! I got a call from Papaji. I think Mummiji needs some help. Call her and ask!" said Arnav.

"Ok, Chote!" said Ajnali.
Khushi was looking away pretending to be oblivious.

"Khushi, Chote had called. Mummiji needs some help!" said Anjali,
"Mummiji? Help? And she did not call me?" Khushi looked confused.

"Anyway, call her Di, and ask!" she said holding back her grin.
Anjali dialed Mummiji's number.
"Anjali, how are you?" came a soothing voice from the other end. Smile appeared on Anjali's face.

"I am fine, Mummiji! Khushi is also here!" she said looking at Khushi.

"Um.. Anjali, actually we are holding a pooja at our place. I may require some help. Elsa is enthusiastic but she hardly knows anything about pooja and havan!" said Mummiji.

"Yeah, ok Mummiji, I will help!" said Anjali looking at Khushi.

"Actually I wanted to invite both of you, but you know, Khushi must be busy with her Court case!" Mummiji clarified to confused Anjali. Anjali looked relaxed.

"Yes Mummiji, don't worry. I will be there!" said Anjali.

"Well, here are the dates....!" Mummiji continued detailing.

Anjali disconnected the phone and looked up at Khushi. She was sitting on the chair, shaking her leg and humming. Anjali understood that Khushi was in a good mood.

"Khushi, Mummiji wants me to be in Kolkata!" said Anjali.
"Yeah? Why?' Khushi looked surprised.

"She is holding a pooja and wants me to help Elsa!" said Anjali.
"Great! You should go!" said Khushi keeping her face straight. "Umm...Di! Call Arnav ji to book your ticket. I have some urgent work!" she said getting up and going out.

She ran to her room and dialed Mummiji's number.

"Mummiji, you are the bestest!!" she screamed.
"I know!" said Mummiji smugly.

"I am doing this for you! I am holding this havan for your two, Khushi!" Mummiji was serious.
"You both should be here on that day!" she ordered Khushi.

"Yes, yes! We will come!" said Khushi disconnecting the phone.