Part 5 How happy she was...!
Arnav and Arvind brought Khushi to the hospital. She was still unconscious. The doctor checked her.
*She is stressed and looking weak... I will give an injection. Make her eat well...* the doctor said.
*What is for the injection, Doctor? * Arnav asked.
*She will get her consciousness back*
*Then don't inject her doctor*
The doctor and Arvind looked at him oddly.
*She didn't eat anything. I don't think she will do it soon... she won't sleep if she gets her consciousness back and will start crying. Her father just passed away today, doctor... *
*Oh...*
*She needs energy. It will be better if you give her saline...*
The doctor nodded yes.
*Ok... it will take time to finish a saline bottle. Let her sleep till then*
*Ok, doctor*
The doctor insisted on a nurse and left.
*Chotte, I will be with Khushi. you go home and take a rest*
*Dad... I took enough rest on the flight. You go and eat something. You have to take medicine. I will call Neerav and leave the hospital when he comes here*
*Ok... I will send the car back*
*Dad...*
*Yes, Chotte...? *
*What about Gupta's house? Don't they need to vacate it? *
*They have to... the bankers gave only one-hour time for them to vacate. That's what broke Shashi... how could he see his wife and daughter on the road? I requested the bank manager explaining about the situation and got a little time. They have to vacate the house in a week after finishing the rituals for Shashi*
*Where will they stay Dad? *
*Don't know Chotte... I really don't know what to do... what if Garima doesn't accept our favor? *
*What's there to think, Dad? We have to arrange a house for them... after all, they are Shashi uncle's family... Neerav is going to marry Khushi. We have to do that, Dad. We should make Garima aunty accept it... If you are hesitant, I will do that...*
*Thank you, Chotte...*
*You go to GH... it's getting late*
*You too have something...*
*I will...*
Arvind left the place. Arnav sat on the chair next to Khushi's bed. He removed his mobile and called Neerav. He attended the call.
*Neerav, come to the MH hospital* Arnav said.
*What happened, Arnav? *
*What are you asking? Didn't Mom tell you anything? *
*No... actually, I didn't meet Mom*
*What do you mean? Where are you? *
*In RM. I'm very tired as I'm roaming from the morning *
Arnav rolled his eyes.
*Is this a time to give an excuse? *
Why would I give an excuse? *
*Khushi is your fiancé. She is admitted to the hospital. she needs you beside her more than anyone... understand your responsibility... the saline has been given to her because she is so weak...*
*Oh...*
*I and Dad brought her to the hospital...*
*Then no worries... you are with her...*
*Neerav... I can't be you...*
*You can... and you did... you admitted her to the hospital... please understand Arnav... what I'm going to do coming to the hospital? My phone charge is getting low... it will turn off soon. Please, drop her in GH... bye* He disconnected the call.
Arnav gritted his teeth annoying. Why the hell he wants to marry a girl if he couldn't even understand the basic responsibility of the relationship? His sight fell on Khushi who was lying on the bed lifelessly. Why does this girl face this tragic phase in her life? How happy she was...! How stress-free she had been...! Arnav felt bad for her.
Arnav leaned on the chair, closing his eyes.
Arnav never interacted with any of his family friends. He was so much into his studies at that time. He was hardly seen at the parties. His parents didn't insist to attend the parties as he would be sitting all alone at the corner of the party hall, without talking to anyone. So, they stopped forcing him to go to the parties. But
Arnav can't be attending his own family party. He was getting ready to go to London at that time. It was Arvind and Ratna's thirtieth wedding Anniversary. Arnav himself wanted to organize the party. He would do anything for his parents' happiness. So, he surprised them by arranging a party. They were surprised more when Arnav asked them to invite their friends. Yet, Arvind invited very limited friends.
The party started...
A set of children dragged everyone's attention including Arnav's. They were playing ANTAKSHARI so joyfully which made the party so live. The center of attraction of the game was Khushi Gupta. She was entertaining the children who were roaming and rushing here and there in the hall disturbing others. But no one could stop the children when the ICE CREAM was started distributing. A little girl gave an Ice cream to Khushi. Taking it from her with a smile, Khushi turned around and collide with Arnav. His NEW coat got spoilt by the ice cream which was in Khushi's hand. She was about to fall down, in no time, Arnav pulled her towards him, clutching her hand. Khushi's eyes became wider, seeing the spoilt coat of Arnav. She wiped the coat with her handkerchief, uttering,
*I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...*
*How many are sorry for one mistake? * Arnav asked.
*I didn't see you coming from behind me...*
*Of course, you couldn't have... because you don't have eyes on your back* he said seriously.
Khushi laughed.
*I'm sorry...*
*Thank you for spoiling this dress* Arnav said.
*Whaaat!* she asked unbelievably.
*I don't like this color you know...*
*But, it's a good color... I like this peacock green color very much...*
*Oh...*
*By the way, I'm Khushi...* She extended her hand for a shake.
Arnav clutched her hand and shook.
*Arnav...*
*Are you Arnav...? * Khushi asked widening her eyes.
Arnav nodded yes.
*Are you Arvind uncle's elder son...? *
He nodded again.
*That means, you are the CEO of AR... *
He again nodded yes smiling.
*Do you know who I'm? *
*Just now you said... Khushi...*
*I'm Khushi Gupta. Shashi Gupta's daughter*
*Oh...*
*Our fathers are friends you know? *
*I know...*
*But, I had never seen you before... and I'm sure you too would not have seen me before*
*You are right...*
*Why don't you attend parties and family gatherings? *
Arnav smiled.
*I know you don't like crowd... right? *
Arnav nodded yes.
*Then how did you throwing a party now? *
Arnav smiled again.
*To surprise uncle and aunty, right? * she asked questions and she herself answered her own questions.
*You know everything... about me...*
*Yes, I know everything because Babuji talks about you guys... Arvind said that... Ratna did that... Arnav is great... Neerav has four arrears... * she laughed.
Arnav smiled simply.
*What are you doing, Khushi? *
*BBA... this is the last year...*
*Oh...*
*I can't believe I'm talking to you... no no... correction, you are talking to me...*
*What's the difference? *
*I usually talk nonstop but you... Babuji said you hardly interact with people... today I will tell him that his perception is wrong...* she said happily.
*His perception is not wrong...*
*Really...? *
*Thank you for making the party lively... by playing Antakshari...* he smiled.
*Oh... that is why you are talking to me...? Feeling proud Mr. ASR... please go and change the coat... or else, people will ask you how it got spoilt... and I will get scolded...*
That's when they heard,
*Khushi...*
Khushi closed her eyes and hid the ice-cream cup with her shawl. Shashi came to them.
*Arnav... what happened to your new coat? *
Arnav looked at Khushi who was biting her nail nervously.
*I fell on the ice cream as my leg got tripped, Uncle* Arnav said without expression.
Khushi looked at him surprisingly.
*Oh... very nice coat...*
*That's ok uncle... I will get it dry cleaned...*
Khushi huffed in relief.
*Babuji... you said Arnav is hardly interacting with people... see, he is talking to me...*
*He is so unpredictable. Don't know how he talks to you* Shashi laughed.
*This is our first meet if we would have met before we had started speaking even before... am I right Arnav? *
*Maybe...* Arnav said.
*Ok, Arnav... I'm going... or else, this girl will fight with me for breaking your conversation... *
Arnav looked at Khushi.
*You don't know about her... she is a shrew. Fights with everyone...* Shashi laughed.
Khushi dropped her jaw.
*Babuji... I don't know you are so mean... * she pouted.
*But... she is so lovable too...* Shashi laughed again.
*Go... I won't talk to you* she made face.
*Arnav... I will just come...* Shashi escaped from there.
*Don't trust him... he always makes fun out of me...* she said.
*Ok... I don't trust him* Arnav said seriously.
*By the way thank you for saving me from my Babuji, lying*
*When did I lie? *
*Didn't you say you fell on the ice cream as your leg tripped? *
*I didn't lie...*
*Oh...*
Arnav smiled.
*Coming 17th is my birthday. You are invited for my birthday...* Khushi said.
*Sorry, Khushi. I'm going to London in two days...*
*But, it after fifteen days only...*
*I will be back only after a month... I'm going to the opening ceremony of the new branch of AR. it takes time... *
*Oh... it's ok... but you should call me... so, I will think you don't forget me... deal? *
*Deal...* he smiled.
Arnav opened his eyes as someone touched his shoulder. He saw himself in the hospital and Khushi is lying on the bed. The driver was standing with dinner.
*Ammaji sent it for you*
Arnav took it from him. the driver left the place. Arnav kept the box aside and looked at Khushi. He felt bad for her. This life is always unpredictable... How life changed into upside-down... will she be like before in the mere future? It's in Neerav's hands... He thought.
To be continued...
The next update is available on Inkitt
New Yet Old Khushi
Arnav didn't feel to eat dinner. He didn't feel anything right. So, he didn't touch the box sent by Ratna.
Why Neerav is likethis? Arnav thought to talk to Neerav. How could he be irresponsible? If hedoesn't know about his responsibilities, he should make him understand hisresponsibility. How could he disappoint a girl after giving her hope abouttheir relationship?