71

Khushi did not get Arnav's call. There were no means of contacting him. No one knew where he was. Khushi tried to keep her cool. She knew, she should take care of the family in his absence. She continued. Aakash was puzzled too. He continued with his office work. No communication from Arnav made him to postpone crucial decisions. Anjali and Nani kept asking about Arnav all the time. Khushi had no answer. She knew nothing more. She grew restless. 

In the evening she was driving Anjali to the temple and she saw HIM. He was walking down the street clutching his phone to his ear. She had to control her urge to run him over. "What is he up to now?" she thought desperately wanting to know his plans. 

They both came home. Nani was waiting for them. "Khushi bitiya, Chote had called!" she said happily.

"What?" she took out her cell and saw, there was no missed call. "He called here?" she asked Nani.

"Yes, he had called and he may have to stay for some more days. He is in Mumbai!" Nani gave her the information. Khushi was confused. She just nodded sending back her tears. All the family members seemed to be satisfied with Arnav's call. 

Khushi came to her room after dinner. She was restless, pacing the room. Sleep was far away from her. She tried to assimilate the situation. Arnav wanted to finish off everything once for all. He should have gone after Sham. But Khushi had seen Sham this evening. Then where was Arnav? What was he up to? She couldn't understand anything. "Arnav ji!" she called out in despair. 

Her phone rang. She picked up the unknown number! "Khushi!" she lost her control hearing Arnav's voice. 

"Khushi... stop! Don't cry!" Arnav tried to pacify her.
"Where are you?" she asked gaining her composure. 

"Khushi... I am fine!" he avoided answering her question.
"But I saw him this evening!" she was not ready to give up.

"Khushi... I really had some urgent work! I will be back soon!" he assured her.
"Take care of yourself!" she said. "Yes!" he again assured her. 

"Khushi, take care of everyone!" "Yes!" she said assuring him. "And don't worry if I do not call!" he told her. She merely nodded. 

“Arnavji…” She whimpered in despair.  “Khushi… I will be there, when you need me…!” he said gravely and Khushi smiled with tears in her eyes.  Whenever she was in dispair, he had called her up…that moment! 

"Khushi, take care of your health!" he was really concerned about her health. She again nodded "yes!" she said.

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

"May I call for a new witness, your honor?" asked Prosecutor looking up at Magistrate Kalindi. She nodded. 

The maid came and stood in the witness box. 

"Objection your honor! She has already given her written statement!" objected the defense lawyer. Sham looked nervous. Dasgupta smiled.

"Your honor, her deposition is very important as she was a part of the conspiracy plan and instrumental in the knock down of Mr. Sham that day!" the prosecutor said. Kalindi overruled the objection and allowed the witness.

"Since when are you working with Raizadas?" asked the prosecutor. Dasgupta was sitting next to him. It created the sensation. The lurking media was kept out of the court premises.
"around one year!" she answered.

"Any past experience?" "No!" came the answer.
"Who from Raizadas hired you?" came the question. "Sham ji brought me in!" she answered. Sham grew nervous. 

"How do you know Mr. Sham?" asked the prosecutor. That triggered her. She went on narrating everything about sham and how he blackmailed, how he entered her house, how her husband died, how was her small house mortgaged, how did she lose all the belongings, how he tried to take her child away... and
How Raizadas helped her, how they were kind to her, how they took care of her child's education, how they protected her...!"
"He is the most dangerous man. He gave me some kind of medicine to administer it to Anjali didi. I did not but kept it safe. 

"The packets are tested in the lab and they contain a small percentage of arsenic substance which acts as slow poisoning" The prosecutor showed the exhibit. Her deposition continued.
She narrated "He insisted on creating more accidents for Anjali Didi. I somehow avoided. Madam, he had brought me in to kill Anjali Didi with my help, but I couldn't. I couldn't betray her. She is very kind and pure hearted. I just couldn't do it! He held my son a hostage... i couldn't tell anyone!!" The maid broke down. The prosecutor begged for a break after completion of her deposition.

The defense in the cross examination tried to catch her in details but she was very well rehearsed. She did not budge. She kept to her stance and kept on saying how dangerous Sham was. She alleged that her house was also grabbed by Sham under deceit. This triggered another inquiry against Sham. Dasgupta had a broad smile on his face.

The next cross examination the prosecution requested for was of Lavanya....

She completely broke down in the witness box and kept on telling, that she never intended to hurt anyone and it was Sham who misled her and tricked her to give the deposition in his favor. She even admitted that she gave a false deposition bending the facts. She admitted that she was wrong and that she was ready for any punishment for lying under the oath. Tables had turned! Sham's shoulders dropped! He was left with no ground to escape. He did not know what was coming on!! The storm was brewing!! 

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

"Come in!" said Rattan stuttering. Arnav walked in. He looked around in the hall. Rattan and the elderly person kept gauging Arnav. 

"Baithane ke liye nahi kahoge? Won't you ask me sit?" he asked looking at them piercingly. Both looked thunder struck. 

"Ji... Baitho!" said the elderly person gesturing at the sitting area. Arnav looked around and his eyes fixed on the old wooden carved rocking chair kept at the other end of the hall. He went at the other end watching the oil portraits of his forefathers. He stared at the portrait of his grandfather hung on the wall behind the rocking chair and sat on the rocking chair giving them another shock. 

"I think this is my rightful place!" he started rocking the chair. Rattan and the elderly person looked aghast. The servants had gathered and were peeping to look at this new guest.
"Apane gharwalonse nahi milavaoge? Won't you introduce me to your family?" he asked in a deep deadly voice. 

"umm? Yes!" the elderly person gestured Rattan to call the family members. Arnav had a smile on his face. Rattan was frightened to the core. Something strange was happening. Arnav was sitting on the rocking chair of Shamsher Singh Thakur, which no one else dared touching it. It was said that the chair was haunted!! Arnav looked comfortable on the chair, as if it was his for ages! Rattan was shivering!

Rattan called all his family members... his children, his uncles and the elderly person introduced them to Arnav... He did not know what to call him. Arnav solved his difficulty. He introduced himself.

"Hello, I am Arnav Singh Raizada... I mean Thakur! The only Son of Nirmal Singh Thakur and the only grandson of Shamsher Singh Thakur!" he voice bellowed in that huge hall. The elderly members shuddered. The younger generation looked confused. Arnav looked at all of them folding his hands and bringing a smile on his face. He looked at the elderly person questioningly.

"Women do not come out here!" said the elderly person defiantly.
"And you?" asked Arnav. 

"I.. I.. I am ... I mean..." stuttered the man.

"You are Rattan's grandfather!" declared Arnav in a clear voice. 

"um. Yes!.. I mean... No.. Nirmal Singh.. is..!" the elderly man was sweating. Rattan regained his composure and came forward..

"What is it? What do you want?" he asked staring at Arnav who had started rocking again. That gave shivers to the family members. "He looks exactly like his grandfather!" thought the elderly person. 

"Where is your father, Rattan?" asked Arnav! Rattan shuddered.
"He has gone out! To Delhi!" blurted Rattan inadvertently. Arnav smirked.

"What do you want?" Rattan asked again with fright in his eyes. He had blurted out the truth that the dead Nirmal Singh Thakur was not his father!

"I want to meet the family!" said Arnav smiling. "If the women are not coming out, I will go to them!" he said getting up. 

"Apana Ghar nahi dikhaoge?" he asked the youngest of the Thakur, a school going child! The child hesitated looking at the elderly person. He nodded. Arnav entered the house leaving the hall and everyone, dumbstruck. The thunder storm, cyclone was thundering inside their secure palace!!

70

Dasgupta appeared in the DNA appeal. He insisted on getting DNA samples of all Thakurs! Court upheld his plea and ordered the DNA samples to be taken for all Thakurs!! This was publicized widely!! Thakurs from Kanpur were in a fix! 

Rattan Singh Thakur had withdrawn from the reopening of Murder Case of Nirmal Singh Thakur! But to everyone's surprise Dasgupta had filed for reopening of the case on behalf of Arnav Singh Raizada/Thakur! Sham was thoroughly confused with this move.

"Saale Saab had lost it! He does not know his father in law is the murderer of his father! I will prove that! I will make him pay for his deeds! He should be separated from his dear wife!"

"Once he knows this, Khushi will have to leave Raizada House! She will have nowhere to go! She will be mine!" Sham smirked. Khushi was oblivious to all these problems Arnav was facing. He had never told her anything. Dasgupta assured him that this move will prove his predictions. Khushi safety and restoration of her father's dignity.

"Aurnob, look at this... Her father was the last person to see your father alive. But that does not mean he had anything to do with your father's death. These Sham and his partner are creating sensation by giving a topic for gossip and to create rift between you two. The best counter attack is to file for reopening of the case. There are three more finger prints which were picked up from the dead body unidentified....! Do you understand what I mean? We will overturn their strategy. Their weapon will boomerang on them..!" Dasgupta explained. Arnav agreed. He had additional plan for Sham and party.

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

"Khushi!" Arnav called her from office. "I got to go!" he said gravely.
"When?" she asked. She had prepared herself mentally for his departure. 

"Now! I am not coming home!" he said.
"What? Why?" she asked desperately.

"Because, I won't be able to leave if I see you!" he confessed. A faint smile appeared on her face. 

"Arnav ji, take care!" she said softly. He nodded.
"Will you call me?" she asked in despair. He hesitated but said "Yes! And you know what to do!" he knew she would handle any crisis. 

"Yes!" she said. "Bye Khushi, take care!" he said and disconnected the phone. She sat there for a very long time engrossed in her thoughts about the future.

"I am sure, nothing will happen to him. No one will be able to touch him!" she said to herself. She went to the vault and took of the four mannat keys. She kept gazing at them. "He has double protection!" she smiled and went to the kitchen to complete her chores. 

"Khooki.. where is your husband?" asked Dasgupta in the afternoon.
"um.. uncle, he is out of station for some urgent business work!" she said stuttering.
"Ok. Ask him to call me whenever he finds time!" said Dasgupta. 

"um.. uncle, um.. did you receive call from Karuna di?" she asked hesitantly.
"haan? No! was she supposed to call me? Did you talk to her?" he asked eagerly. Khushi was confused. Last time when she talked to Karuna, it was decided that Karuna would call Dasgupta and tell him her plans...! 

"No, I mean I thought, she would call you!" she said trying to sound normal.
"Khooki... tell me .. is it progressing?" he asked her sternly.

"Yes uncle, now that He is coming to meet you, it definitely is progressing!" she said smiling. Dasgupta disconnected.

"I have to ask Karuna di, tonight!" Khushi resolved.

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

Arnav was waiting with bated breath clutching the camera in the OB van of local news channel. The Janata Darbar was about to start at the residence of MLA. A lot of people had gathered to tell their grievances and seek help. It was practically impossible to cross the tight security without getting noticed.

Arnav approached a local news agency and had given them the Advertisements of AR Group for the entire month's insertions. The agency was overwhelmed and was ready to do anything for him. He asked them to include himself as a crew member for the Janata Darbar program of the local MLA. 

Arnav had arranged for his Identity Card as a Camera man crew and had got included in the team. He was waiting for the MLA to appear for his Janata Darbar!!

He saw an elderly person coming out limping with the support of walking stick and the MLA, Mr. Rattan Singh Thakur. He held his breath, trying to keep his camera steady. The real cameraman came and took it from him. He posed as assistant. The Darbar had started. It took three hours when the crowd started receding and the crew started winding up. He remained unmoved. Mr. Rattan Singh Thakur and the elderly person rose up to leave their Darbar.

"Rattan....!" Rattan Singh shuddered with the deadly voice. He looked up to see who dared calling him Rattan! The elderly person turned to see.... They both froze!! Arnav Singh Raizada was standing before him clenching his fists!!

"YOU?" Rattan Singh could not believe his eyes. The elderly person looked shocked.
"Yes, its me! Should be talk here, or you want to take me inside?" asked Arnav taking a step forward. Rattan Singh looked around in fright and said stuttering..

"ye.. yes, come in!" Arnav Singh Raizada was entering his legitimate house for the first time in his life clutching his attach! He was entering Lion's den unarmed, risking his life!! 

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

Khushi was sitting on the armchair lost in her own thoughts. She dialed Arnav's number.
"Hello Khushi ji!" Aakash picked up the phone. "Bhai had to leave urgently but he forgot his cell on his table!" said Aakash to Khushi's despair. 

"I know, he did not forget, he left it behind on purpose! Now no one will be able to contact him!" she thought. But strangely she was not panic. She was composed with strength. She knew what he was up to and she was with him in this. She knew, he would contact her if need be. She knew he would come back victorious!! 

"Khushi... where is Arnav puttar?" papaji had asked. 

"Papaji, he had to on some urgent work. I will ask him to call you! Unfortunately he forgot his cell in the office!" she said calmly. She knew she had to face all sorts of question and she was ready for that. 

Aakash walked in. "Khushi ji, I don't know where has he gone! He has kept even his laptop behind!" Aakash looked worried. Even Khushi was surprised at this. 

"Hmm!" she said. "He called me up to say, he was going on some urgent work!" she said continuing with her story.

"Strange! He never does that!" Aakash was truly worried. "You know, he has executed papers assigning me as the official signatory for the entire AR group! He told me the other day!" Aakash was confused.

"Did he know that he might have to go?" he asked her. She shrugged not knowing what to answer.

"Aakash jijaji, I think he will come back soon!" she really was hoping for him to come back!
Aakash went away. She sat there staring unfocused. 

"First hatred parted us, but our love brought us together! Now our love has parted us.... Then ...?" she shuddered with the thought. "No! no hatred .... Not again!" she got up with a jerk praying her Devi Mayya!!

69

Shondeep was nervous. He tried calling Khushi in the morning. She was unreachable. He was to leave for Kolkata in the afternoon with Raj. 

Arnav came down in the morning for breakfast. Papaji and Mummiji were talking to Nani. Anjali was in the Kitchen with Khushi and Payal. 

"Mrs Raizada" started off papaji. Mami looked up in surprise and realizing that he was talking to Nani continued her breakfast. Arnav looked up at Papaji.

"What do you think about the proposal?" he asked squinting at Arnav. Arnav was expressionless. 

"If everybody agrees, I will be more than happy!" she said smiling.
"Hello hi bye bye! What propojal?" asked Mami.

"Manorama, its nothing to do with you! You carry on!" said Nani sternly. Arnav still did not respond.

Khushi and Payal came in. Khushi started serving the breakfast. "Khushi puttar, what is your opinion?" asked Papaji. She looked nervous and glanced at Arnav. He still did not respond.
"Ok. Fine! Arnav Puttar, we were talking about the future plans!" he said glancing at Mami.
"I know!" Arnav said looking at all of them and then smiling said "I think we should ask Di!"
Khushi jumped up in excitement and ran to get Anjali. Anjali came out blushing! Papaji dialed Shondeep's number to tell him to cancel the ticket.

"I think tomorrow is the date!" Nani was with the calendar to see auspicious days!
"Khushi, ask Elsa to meet Shondeep's parents with formal proposal and ask her to bring them here!" Mummiji took over the preparations and planning. The entire Raizada House rose up in excitement.

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

Sham was in the police station talking about the closed file of unnatural death of Nirmal Singh Thakur. He started reading the file carefully and taking down the notes. He could see a direct connection between Sharma and Thakur. Sharma (Shamsher Sharma, Khushi's father) was the last person who had seen Nirmal singh alive. The motive could be established as the talked to buy the property were not successful and Sharma was furious on the issues. The deal could not be completed. Sham smirked.

"Khushi, now let me see how your beloved husband treats you when he knows that your father is his father's murderer!!" He was hell bend on establishing the crime. He called up Rattan Singh in a hurry. 

"Look here, the motive can be established and the charges can be framed!" he was all excited.
"On a dead person?" asked Rattan Singh from the other person. Sham closed his eyes to control his anger.

"As I told you, we only have to publicize this issue, under the name of justice!" he said in a deep voice. 

Rattan Singh planned to call the press conference over the week end.

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

Dasgupta was about to leave for his office in the morning when his phone rang. He was invited for the Engagement of Anjali and Shondeep. When he came to the office a couple of reporters were lurking. He initially ignored them. But when they asked him about his opinion on the reopening of the murder case, he stopped. 

"What will happen when the case is reopen?" asked one of the reporter.
Dasgupta took his time to answer. "I am not aware of the details yet!" he said.

"Will it affect any of your cases?" asked the reporter.

"I am not aware of the reopening of the case!" he said again.
"But it will not have any effect on any of the cases!" he said reassuring.

He came into his office and dialed his assistant's number.
"Check whether the application is filed to reopen the file. File a caveat to prevent them from reopening without intimating us!" he gave all the details. He smirked disconnecting the phone.
"Mr. Sham, let me see how far you go!" he opened the file for the DNA case. Mr. Rattan Singh Thakur was in deep trouble now, as Sham's accomplice.

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

Dasgupta was in his office waiting for his assistant. The caveat was filed for the intimation before the reopening of Nirmal Singh Thakur's murder case.

Sham and Rattan Singh Thakur had filed an application for the documents of the closed case under the pretext of new evidence. When the archived file was taken out a copy was sent to Dasgupta's office as an interested party who filed a caveat! The file was on Dasgupta's table and he with his assistant started deciphering each and every evidence. 

Smile appeared on Dasgupta's face when he saw the post mortem report stating that the finger prints of Shamsher Sharms were found on the dead Nirmal singh's right palm. There was a note further that few more finger prints were found on his torso, neck and face. These finger prints went unidentified without evidence. 

"File an application to reinvestigate these fingerprints!" ordered Dasgupta. He saw that there were around three different unidentified persons. He smiled stroking his fat double chin.
"Sorry Balwindar, I cannot attend the engagement. I got some urgent work!" he called up papaji and told him.

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

Anjali and Shondeep's engagement was strictly a family affair. It was done in a simple manner. Shondeep's parents had arrived with Elsa and the kids. Anjali and Shondeep both looked nervous. Khushi tried to cheer them up by cracking some silly jokes to the annoyance of Arnav.
"Khushi, Shut up! Stop your stupid jokes!" he kept telling her. She was not in a mood to listen to anyone. She was in euphoria! 

They were about to exchange the rings and the door bell rang. Arnav himself went to open the door anticipating Dasgupta! But the bailiff was at the door with the summons. Papaji appeared next to Arnav and took the sommons from the bailiff when Arnav got it signed.

"Ok! We need to send this to Dasgupta!" said papaji gravely. Arnav read it through. He nodded. The fifteen year old murder case of Nirmal Singh was about to reopen!!
Arnav had to put his plan to action soon! Papaji folded the summons paper and kept it in his pocket. They both came back.

"Who was it?" asked Khushi curiously. Both papaji and Arnav ignored her.

Everyone had waited for Arnav and Papaji to come back. The couple exchanged the rings and there was petal shower on them. Anjali looked really happy and Shondeep little tensed up.

"Easy, my boy!" Papaji thumped on Shondeep's shoulder sending him off balance. He clutched on to Anjali for support. Khushi giggled with Mami. "Hello hi bye bye, Naye Damaadji, aap hi Anjali Bitiya ka hands holds kar be! Naaki who!, hello hi bye bye!" 

There was awkward silence at this when everyone heard the work Naye Damaadji (New son in law!). Anjali suddenly became serious so did Shondeep.

"Nahi Mamiji.... They both have to hold each others hands... like this!" Khushi placed their hands in a clasp and said giggling. The mood changed! 

Arnav came forward and hugged Shondeep first congratulating him first and then pulled Anjali in a tight embrace. "Di..!" he had tears in his eyes. He was very happy for her... but the idea of leaving her after marriage tormented him. He closed his eyes resting his head on her shoulder. Everyone got emotional looking at the brother sister relationship. 

Anjali kissed his forehead, "Chote...!" she couldn't continue!!

"Chote...!" they heard a teasing loud voice and looked around. Tej was standing near them and uttering the word "Chote...!" in amazement. 

"Aunty, you call him Chote? What does that mean?" he asked her loudly.
"Mere Golu... Chote means a small kid!" Khushi would never miss this opportunity to tease her husband further. Arnav looked embarrassed. 

"Oh! Stop it Khushi!" he barked angrily and picking up Tej barged out of the scene. Khushi stuck out her tongue sheepishly!

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

"Ahh! That was so nice!" Khushi still had the hangover of engagement ceremony. Arnav looked serious. 

"Hmm!" he said.
"But why didn't Das uncle come? I had invited him personally!" she wondered.
"Oh! He had called up papaji! He had some urgent work!" said Arnav changing into night dress. 

"Oh!" said Khushi little disappointed.
"Khushi... What does he want from you?" Arnav asked her suddenly. 

"Oh! That is regarding Karuna di!" She was caught unaware.
"What? Who Karuna di?" he asked confused. She came back to her senses.
"Oh! Don't tell this to anyone!" she pleaded. He nodded, but asked further.
"Who is this Karuna di?" 

Khushi smiled. "You will know soon!" "And by the way, who was at the door?" she was successful in changing the subject.

"Oh! Nothing.. message from Dasgupta!" Arnav had by now learnt to divert her attention.
"Oh!" she got convinced. Arnav smirked. He pulled her into his arms and switching off the lights said.

"Now shut up and go to sleep!"

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

"Have you lost it?" an old man was yelling at Rattan Singh Thakur!
"You are inviting trouble! Who the hell had asked you to reopen the case?" the old man shouted.

"What? I mean this is our chance to put that bugger in trouble! He snatched away everything from us!" Rattan Singh was furious!

"You fool! Now he will snatch away your name also!" said the old man pointing out his gun at Rattan Singh in rage. Rattan Singh was taken aback.

"What?" he blurted.
"Now he will come crashing on to you and prove that you are my son and not Nirmal singh's as you had claimed to take away everything from him!" said the old man loathing. 

"Do anything.... Use all your political power but stop the case from reopening!" ordered the old man roaring in rage.

"Whoo why?" he asked.

"Vinaash Kaale Viparit buddhi!" Muttered the old man. "You have lost your mind completely! Your end has begun!" he shouted in frustration and made his way out of the hall stomping his walking stick.

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

68

Khushi's plan flopped when the news channels flashed the breaking news! Dasgupta confirmed that he was taking over all the cases of Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada and his family. Dasgupta, the lawyers and Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada were shown outside Dasgupta's lavish huge office in Delhi. Dasgupta was bombarded with the questions by the reports and he was answering them quietly.

When asked "What made to take up the cases?" Dasgupta answered, "Mr. Raizada approached me with the request and I accepted!"

"What is the reaction of the lawyers from whom you are taking over?"

"Oh! You ask them. They are here! They will play a major role in assisting me!" said Dasgupta waving at the group of lawyers. They all looked excited and delighted that they had the opportunity of working with stalwart like Dasgupta!

Dasgupta started descending the stairs ignoring further questions. The reports caught hold of the lawyers to extract more information. As per the plan, every lawyer leaked some vital points in their respective cases.

The reports came up with their own analysis flashing the news!!

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

Sham was glued at the screen when he saw the breaking news. His eyes became red, nostrils flared up in rage. He kept on surfing the channels to gather different view points on this issue. Slowly his face became normal. 

"He has lost it! His lawyers, in excitement, are giving away vital points which would have worked well against me!" he smirked stroking his chin. "Ok! Let me see, what all they got!" he said pulling a notepad. 

"Ok, they still do not have an evidence in the Spinning mill fire mishap! They still are searching for my involvement in Rama's murder/suicide case! They haven't yet got the CCTV footage which shows my face! They are still finalizing on the embezzlement amount! They are not sure about the revocation of my power of attorney by Anjali! GOOD! I will make sure they don't get any of these!" his smirk widened.

"But before that, let me give them a little shock!" he dialed Rattan Singh's number.
"Release a press note about reopening the murder case of Nirmal Singh Thakur!" he said authoritatively. There was no response from the other end.
"Fine! I will do it myself!" he said getting up.

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

Anjali and Shondeep had come home without sweets!!
"What? Where are sweets?" Khushi had screamed.

"Patience, Khushi!" papaji took over!
"I mean... Anjali and I... I mean!" Shondeep started off weakly. 

"Do you want some more time?" Papaji asked him directly.
"Did you talk to her?" he asked further.

"No! I mean.. yes! We talked to each other... but Anjali wants to talk to her brother first!" said Shondeep.

"Ok! That's fine! She should, in fact!" papaji was happy with Anjali's decision.
"Shondeep, tell me! Did you tell her about your past?" Papaji asked him seriously.

"Yes, I have told her everything!" said Shondeep.
"Ok!" papaji took a sigh of relief.
Everything depended on Arnav!

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

Arnav came home looking exhausted. Khushi was dying to talk to him. But he was busy talking to papaji. After dinner they were in their room. 

"Arnav ji!" "Khushi!" They both started off simultaneously. Arnav took a deep breath and said
"Ok, go ahead!" 

"No, I mean... you tell me!" she said sitting beside him on the recliner. 

"No! you tell me! You are dying to tell me since I came home!" he knew her well. She smiled sheepishly.

"What is it, Khushi?" he asked her. She did not know how to tell him.
"I mean, now we don't have to worry! Dasgupta uncle will take care of everything!"

"Hmm!" there was no confidence in Arnav's tone. Something was brewing up in his mind.
"Arnav ji!" Khushi came closer and wrapped her hands around his neck resting her head on his chest.

"hmm!" re responded calmly.
"I mean... we should think about Di now!" she said seriously.

"Why? What happened to her?" he sat up in a jerk pushing Khushi away.
"No, nothing happened!" Khushi tried to regain the ground.

"I mean... we should think about her future!" she said looking at him.
"What?" he was confused.

"I mean... um... she needs a life partner now!" Khushi said it in one breath.
"What?" Arnav got up from his recliner. He seemed upset. She pulled him down.
"Please, don't get upset!" she pleaded. He looked at her blankly.

"But.. that's not possible!" he dismissed.

"Why? I mean we can find a better person for her! She deserves a good life, Arnavji!" Khushi sounded much mature.

"Whose words are these?" he asked her suspiciously.
"Mummiji!" she said looking down. She knew, he will definitely listen to what Mummiji would say! She had a plan.

"umm actually Mummiji wanted to talk to you about this!" she said.
"Ok!" he said calmly. She was relieved. She held on to him clasping his arm. He patted her.
"Khushi!" he said after a while. "Hmm?" she asked him.

"I may have to go away!" he said gravely anticipating her outburst.
"What?... when?... why?" she pulled herself away from him and faced him.

"Calm down! I will tell you everything!" he said holding her hand and pulling her again towards him.

"Is it all that necessary? Why can't I come with you?" she was on the verge of crying.
"Why can't we have a peaceful life, even for a few days?" she was agitated. 

"I am going away to ensure that, Khushi!" he said seriously. His eyes reflected pain and determination.

"I want to put an end to this. I want my family to be happy and safe!" he said wrapping her in his arms. 

"Khushi, listen to me carefully! You will have to take care of everyone when I am away!" he said caressing her cheek. She nodded.

"I do not know for how long I will be away...." He started off telling her.....
"I don't know when i will be leaving... ! But we must be ready" he said seriously. She kept looking at him intently.

"Look, Khushi, I just wanted to tell you this, you should be more careful when I am away!" he said.
"Where are you going?" she asked him. He didn't want to give away his plan, he himself was not sure about.

"Don't worry about all that. I will keep you updated when I leave!" he said hiding his emotions. She did not answer. She knew he wouldn't tell anything more. She closed her eyes. 

"Ok. Go to sleep now. I have some work to finish!" he said carrying her to the bed.
"Arnav ji!" she held his hand. He looked down at her.

"Di... Di... we should think about her first!" she said.
"Yes! I know and I will!" he said leaving her hand and going out of the room. Within a moment he came back and sat beside her.

She looked at him in surprise. He bent down and whispered "Khushi.. do you all think I am blind?" she shuddered and got up in a jerk.

He was very serious. "Wh.. what?" she could ask.
"Do you think I don't see what's going on between Di and Shondeep?" he asked curling up his lip in a smile and was pulled on the bed in response.

“Khu..shi…Stop..!” he had a very weak resistance.  Khushi had taken over… possessed him completely.  He responded and stole her away from the world to their trip to paradise.  When they parted panting, Khushi had a smile on her face and Arnav couldn’t resist kissing her passionately.

“Arnavji… you are the bestest…!” Khushi curled up rubbing her cheeks on his chest.  He patted on her head closing his eyes.  

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