Part 35 Fruit
Arnav opened his eyes jerking, sensing someone's presence. He looked here and there, frowning. Ratna got alert. She understood what was happening with her son. Did he sense her presence? Could he? Ratna went out and again came in. This time also Arnav turned behind and looked. Ratna was sure now. Arnav sensed her presence. She was overjoyed. Yet, she wanted to see what would he do... How would he react...!
At the same time, Khushi came to his room to sprinkle turmeric water just like the previous day. She got stuck, seeing Ratna in his room. Ratna gestured for her not to react, keeping her index finger on her lips. Khushi made up herself and sprinkled the turmeric water casually.
"What's this?" Arnav asked.
"It removes bad vibes..."
"How do you know all these things?"
"I told you, I belong to a spiritual family... These are the common things my Nanu followed"
"Oh... You said, no bad spirit and black magic affects you..."
Khushi nodded yes.
"How do you know?"
"My Pandit baiya said. It's there in my horoscope"
"Pandit baiya?"
"Yes, he is the Pandit of your Kuldevi temple"
"Oh... Is it in your horoscope?"
She nodded yes.
"Are horoscope things true?"
"Arnavji, won't you believe anything? Getting too much of doubt is not good"
She headed to the French door,
"Khushi, one minute"
"Mmm?"
"Didn't you say, you feel someone's presence around you?"
Khushi looked at him frowning. Why did he ask about that suddenly? She nodded yes.
"Don't you feel the same now?"
"I felt I when I slept alone in the guest room. After I started sleeping with Nani in her room, I don't mind about it..."
"Oh..."
"Why Arnavji? Why are you asking about it all of a sudden?"
Ratna was curiously watching him. She wanted Arnav to know about her existence but she could let him know that only if he felt her presence.
"Nothing... just asked..." Arnav sighed.
She went to the garden and sprinkled it at the place where she burnt the doll and then at the Northeast corner. She walked in. She stepped on the water and got slipped. The mug from her hand fled. The water splashed on Arnav who was standing close to her. Seeing her struggling to stand, Arnav wrapped her waist up and pulled her towards him. She looked at him with popping-up eyes and tried to come out of his arms but she could not. Then only she saw Arnav looking at her all lost. She looked for Ratna who was not there. Khushi tapped his cheek. Arnav flinched back.
"Leave me..." she said.
Arnav removed his hands, looking at her. She took the empty mug from the floor.
"Would all the bad vibes in me be gone?" Arnav asked.
Khushi looked at him frowning.
"You poured the remaining water on me..."
"I didn't pour it, I slipped, stepping on the water" She pointed at the water on the floor.
"You should have sprinkled a little amount of water, then it had not had happened"
"I sprinkled a little amount only, Arnavji..."
"Hmmm... don't know how many times, I will have to hold you after our marriage"
"Do one thing... sit on the bed like a GOOD BOY when I sprinkle water... simple" She chuckled.
"How could I be a good boy when I was on the BED?" Arnav smirked.
Khushi frowned not understanding the hidden meaning of his words.
"I should prepare turmeric water again..." She walked out.
Arnav nodded his head from left to right. Was she really innocent or she was pretending? Didn't she understand what he said? Arnav smiled raising his brows.
Khushi left the room and Ratna who was waiting for her out of the room, followed her.
"Khushi, don't react"
"Mmm"
"I think Chotte feels my presence"
"Really?" She looked at her excitedly.
"Shhhh..."
Khushi kept her index finger on her own lips.
"Is it?" Khushi asked in a low tone.
"Yes, he looked here and there in a searching manner"
"Oh... That's why he asked me about my feelings?"
"Yes..."
"Go to his room often, then he will admit his feel"
"Ok... By the way, the STORY you told Chotte is awesome. It sounded like a real story"
"Excuse me, Ghost madam, It's indeed a real story"
"Is it?"
"Yes... Aaron is a living example..."
"Really, I can't believe this"
"It seems your son is better than you. Being a ghost, you are doubting my story but he believed it" Khushi teased, making Ratna chuckle.
(Author note: Aaron's story is not my imagination but a real story. He is my Friend's sister's brother-in-law. That's the incident that made me believe in spirit)
Khushi thought something.
"Maji, I have a doubt..."
"What?"
"It's only Arnavji who feels your presence?"
Ratna also became thoughtful.
"Let's check"
Ratna nodded ok.
"Go to Nani'ji's room"
Ratna went to Nani's room and stood behind her.
"Have you finished, Khushi bitiya?" Nani turned behind and frowned not finding Khushi.
"Khushi..." She looked here and there.
"Amma..." Ratna called but Nani could not hear her.
Ratna sighed.
"Come on Khushi" Ratna called.
"What happened?"
"She too feels me"
"Is it Naniji? Could you feel Maaji's presence?"
"I think so..."
"Arnavji also feels"
"Really?"
"Yes..."
"Does anybody else feel?"
Khushi looked at Ratna.
"I don't know"
"Be careful... don't let anyone feel your presence" Khushi said.
Ratna nodded ok.
"I think Maji is getting freed little by little"
"Don't know what else is needed to get her out of it completely. I would have been happier if she had gotten freed completely..." Nani sighed.
"We see improvement, is not it enough Naniji?"
"Yes, but my fear is, if they had buried the doll in our house, then they could have done anything out of this house... Right?"
Khushi nodded yes thoughtfully. At the same time, Nani received a call from the pandit.
"Khushi bitiya, Panditji is calling..."
"Ask him your doubt, Naniji"
Nani attended the call. Before she said anything,
"You have removed it. Right?"
"Haan... It was a witchcraft doll. We burnt it"
"You have done a very good job"
"I could sense my daughter's presence, Panditji..."
"That's great..."
"Can't we see her soul like, Khushi does?"
"No Maaji, seeing spirit is not a simple matter. It won't be visible to everyone... You are sensing her, it's a big change"
Nani sighed disappointedly.
"But, what about her? Doesn't she get any new power?" Pandit asked.
Nani looked at Khushi.
"I don't know Panditji..."
"You have not found it yet. Check it, she should definitely have gotten some more power"
"Power?"
"Yes. Because, Siya's uncle said, what you just removed is not a simple thing"
"What else he said Panditji?"
"I told him A to Z about your problem and family. He said the only solution to this problem is, KHUSHI"
Nani looked at Khushi who raised her brows.
"Only Khushi can save your grandson and also your daughter's soul from getting affected"
"How?"
"She has to follow some instructions until the problem is solved"
"What instruction?"
"I will tell you. Before that, get her married to your grandson as much as possible"
"I'm planning to do it so grandly."
The Pandit was silent.
"Panditji..."
"Mmm?"
"Anything wrong?"
"I don't know what to say, Maaji... it's not that easy to get them married... You will face many obstacles. As you removed the witchcraft from your house, the person who related to that would have gotten to know who is your strength. They will not let this marriage happen"
"Can't we do anything to stop them Pandit Ji?"
"We can stop their magic but action... Everything will happen as per destiny"
Nani became restless.
"Where is Khushi?"
"She is here only"
"Bhaiya..."
"Khushi, listen to me. Don't be scared no matter what happens. Nothing will affect you. Though they will face obstacles it will be solved. Don't forget one thing, YOU are their strength. From the time, Arnav's mother got controlled, her soul had been begging God to show her a path to solve her problems. It's nearly eighteen years... You went to their house because of her hearty prayer. Know your power. As the witchcraft is removed, you can do anything now. Let the killer try anything but it won't stop you. God is with you. Pray daily... Chant the mantra... You will make everything right. It's your family... Keep it in your mind"
Khushi gulped down hard.
After your marriage only, everything will come to an end..."
"Jee bhaiya"
"You can call me anytime."
"Thank you, bhaiya"
The Pandit disconnected the call.
Khushi looked at Ratna who heard everything. Nani hugged Khushi emotionally.
"You are our blessings Khushi bitiya. Thank you for coming into our lives"
Khushi smiled and looked at Ratna who was smiling at them.
"You are the Fruit of my prayer... sweetest fruit..." Ratna smiled.
"I'm glad to be one"
Suddenly, Nani hiccupped.
"What happened Nani?"
Nani nodded her head.
"I will give you water"
Ratna who was close to the jug took it hurriedly, forgetting herself. As she didn't expect, she lifted it. Nani's hiccup stopped, seeing the water jug raising spontaneously...!
To be continued...