Khushi noticed Arnav was lost in some deep thoughts after returning from his office. He didn't answer when she asked him if he wanted a cup of coffee or directly will have dinner, and when she asked did Pari troubled him in his work, his answer was incoherent 'as always'! Khushi knew something was wrong. But she decided to wait until after they were done with dinner and the kids were put to sleep.
Arohi and Chiku were already downstairs after returning from buaji's house in Lakshmi Nagar and Khushi decided to change Pari's clothes too to her jammies before dinner. She took Pari to the bathroom, freshened her up and then took her to the kids' room near their wardrobe. Khushi remembered the feedback they received from the parents-teacher meeting this morning and decided to get Pari to say more, at least to her. Her speech therapist Rashmi had been visiting them for the past year, but Pari wasn't improving much. So, Khushi decided to put more effort herself for her child. By now, she had accepted Pari was not like her other two kids and had slow progress with her speech but that didn't mean Khushi would quit trying.
So, taking Pari near the cupboard, she asked, "So which color pajama my baccha want to wear today?"
Pari looked at her maa and then at the cupboard and just indicated to a purple color one.
Khushi took a deep breath, and asked again, "Which one, baccha?"
Pari again indicated the same one with her index finger, without a word.
Khushi didn't give up and asked, sitting near Pari to come to her level, "Aise nani, aap ko bol kar batana hoga, Pari (Not like this, you have to speak up, Pari). Tell your mamma, which one?"
But then even if Khushi didn't, Pari had lost her patience! She whined and indicated to the same pajamas. Why was her maa who understood everything she had on her mind not doing so today?
Just then Arnav came there. Already in a sour mood, hearing Pari's small cry made him more irritated, and his anger was directed to Khushi again.
"Khushi, why are you after her? Give her what she wants. She must be tired today."
Khushi opened her mouth to protest but one look at Arnav's sunken face, she knew he was angry and worried about something else.
She decided to let this matter go, and took the purple jammies, changed Pari into it and they left for dinner.
But throughout the dinner, khushi noticed how Arnav wasn't himself...
.
.
They had put the kids to sleep, and Arnav and she were now sitting on their master bed, leaning against the headboard.
"So, how is Rohan?" Khushi asked, tentatively. Arnav was furiously typing on his cellphone and Khushi had no idea what or to whom it was.
"Who?" he asked without looking up.
"The person who was texting you in the afternoon?" she supplied, and he looked up instantly, frown visible on his face. Khushi continued, "You had mentioned it was your friend from Harvard, Rohan, as Jatin ji told you. Was it not him?"
Arnav gave a nervous smile, "Of course. Of course, it was Rohan. You asked so suddenly so it didn't click me at first."
Khushi looked at him suspiciously. A wife in her and as a person knowing him better than himself, told her that he was keeping something from her. But in all these years, she was sure of one thing, she didn't have to worry about his loyalty to her. So, it must have been something that he thought would bother her.
However, she wanted to share his worries. So, she asked again, "Why don't you invite Rohan ji for dinner tomorrow?"
That caught him off guard.
But he was ASR. (In)Famous for using his brain. So, he said, "He already left for Bangalore, Khushi. Next time, ok?" he said, touching her cheek. And then faked a yawn, "I am very sleepy Khushi. So jatey hai (let's sleep)." he said and lied down.
But if he was ASR, she was Mrs. ASR. She decided to find out whoever or whatever was bothering him and solve it for him!
--*--
The next morning, it being Sunday, everyone was sleeping even though it was past 7 am.
But Khushi was wide awake, stealing glances at Arnav. He was soundly sleeping holding her by her waist. She wanted to get up but didn't have a heart to wake him up.
And that was when his phone rang.
The ringing of the phone broke Arnav's peaceful slumber. And leaving Khushi for a moment, he turned to his other side, looking for his phone on the side table, without opening his eyes.
But seeing the phone number flashing there he sat up instantly. Khushi too sat up. But before he could pick up the phone, the call ended.
And then a text message came 'Good morning, Arnav. Just wanted to tell you, a gift for your family is on your way.'
Arnav gulped in fear. This person was up to something sinister! He had to talk to Aakash and tighten up the security. Also, they had to be alert and catch this person red handed as he visits today.
Khushi was about to ask him but just then Aru's cry was heard, and she called for Khushi seemingly waking from a bad dream. Thus, despite not wanting to leave Arnav alone right now, Khushi had to go to Arohi.
Taking advantage of that, Arnav quickly got out of the bed, wore his T shirt and pants and made a dash for the bathroom. And literally within a couple of minutes, he left their room in search of Aakash.
Lucky for him, Aakash had woken up early and Arnav found him on his way to Aakash's room with him carrying a cup of tea.
"Good morning, bhai. Aap itni subah uthe gaye aaj (You woke up so early today)?" he asked.
"Good that you are up, Aakash, kuch urgent discuss karna hai (Need to discuss something urgently)." Arnav said and like an obedient younger brother that aakash was, he followed Arnav to the study.
After hearing from Arnav about whatever had happened till now, Aakash also got worried.
"This looks serious bhai. Shall we make a police complaint?"
"For what aakash? that I am receiving calls and texts from unknown number? It's just our feeling that something is wicked here but to any other person it would look like some friend of mine is reaching out to me."
"Hmm." Aakash sat down, thinking, "did you call commissioner and enquire about-"
"Shyam? Yes, yesterday itself. He is still in jail, 2 more years at least from his first punishment and a few more from others."
"Good. And Sheetal?"
"She is in Bangalore, our PI Roy confirmed."
"Then who it can be?" Aakash asked, in annoyance.
"Whoever it is, I am going to catch him today." Arnav said, knocking on the tabletop with his fist. "Do one thing, get more cctv cameras on every road that leads to Shantivan, and on every corner around our house."
"Done bhai. I will also talk to security to be extra vigilant and call our security agency to send a few more guards."
"Good. Let's catch him red handed today!" Arnav said and both brothers left the room.
.
.
Arnav and Aakash, however, were a tad bit late, as two people had already entered Shantivan's premises.
"Ishaan, I still think we should quit this. Are you sure you want to take this risk?" The girl asked.
"Of course, babe. You worry too much. Main hoon na, sab thik hoga (I am here, right? everything will be fine)."
"You and your filmy dialogues! But don't forget this is ASR!"
"And you don't forget you are with Ishan Kapoor! Hum kisi se kam nahi (I am no less than anyone)!" he said.
The girl chuckled and led him towards the poolside.
Soon, they reached the poolside garden, and they gasped seeing a person already present there. Well, a cute toddler, who was busy caressing a plant in a pot.
Khushi had been with Aru in the bathroom when Pari had slipped out of the room and went to her favorite spot, the poolside garden. She wanted to wish her favorite plants 'gul molning(Good morning)' and the best thing was it didn't need her to say it!
That was when she noticed two people staring at her in awe!
She had not seen them before. Looking at them with her sharp gaze, well as sharp as a 4-year-old could have given that the said 4-year-old was ASR's offspring(!), she noticed the couple as if judging them.
"Hey baby." the boy out of the two people standing in front of pari said, coming little forward, "I am Ishaan."
Pari looked at this extra-smiling man, still not saying anything.
That was when the girl came forward,
"She is ditto Khushi. So beautiful! But her eyes, they are so ASR!" the girl said, sitting near Pari.
Pari, by then had gauged at least this, that these two didn't seem to mean any harm to her. However, as her mamma had taught her, she was ready to cry in a loud voice if she sensed a danger.
That was when the girl extended her hand towards Pari and said, "Hey sweetheart. I am Lavanya, your mamma-papa's friend. What's your name?"
Pari didn't answer but tentatively gave her hand to Lavanya's, making Lavanya smile and her eyes turn moist!
.
.
A few minutes after, when Khushi came out looking for Pari, she found Pari holding a gift-wrapped box. Khushi got tense.
"Pari! Why did you come here? And who gave you this?" Khushi asked.
Pari smiled at her maa, and uttered one word, "Flend(friend)."
-to be continued.
--*--
A/N- First things first, all those who guessed NK and Lavanya as the couple in the previous chapter, need a revision of CSD! Guys, we spent many chapters on NK's wedding with Jasmeet and she is really upset at you for forgetting her and tagging NK with a parayi ladki 😔 That makes me think, should we have CSD trivia quiz someday? I will ask questions about different things specific to CSD-land (like who's rucha's dad or what is Anjali's husband's name) and will see who gets maximum answers right?
Hopefully, you liked lavanya's entry and hope none will forget our Ishaan ji by next chapter or better still, never :P
Please don't forget to vote and comment. Thanks. Happy weekend!