Chapter 6
It was late when Khushi came back home. Through the windows she could see, that the lights were still on and she was afraid to walk inside, because her Amma told her not to come too early home. She didn't want to upset her family but standing outside her home wasn't an an option because of their neighbors.
Arnav's proposal was still in her head and she asked herself why he wanted to marry her? What was his intention? Was it love? Does he really love her and why? Why does he have feelings for her? She opened the door silently in hope that her family went to sleep and just let lights on for her. How nice would it be, if her family would do something so simple and still so caring for her. Her heart started to beat faster because of this nice and warm thought and her hopes for a positive future with her family.
Maybe they are sorry for their words? Maybe her Amma was worried where she was? Maybe she should come earlier back?
She opened the door with one very hopeful smile on her lips and was surprised to find her Babuji, Amma and Payal sitting in the living room. She saw tears in Payal's eyes and even her Amma's eyes were red. Her smile was away immediately by seeing her sister and mother in this state. She runned to them and stood there trying hard to find right explanation for being so late, but was interrupted by Payal's words.
***
>>Great, now I have to see her face. Why is God so cruel to me? What did I do wrong?<<
Payal stood up and walked to her room, smashing the door behind herself. Khushi gazed at the closed door of Payal's room with shocked expression. She was just about to run behind her when she felt one firm touch on her arm.
>>Don't you dare to bother her now! Don't you even dare to walk in her room.<<
Khushi look to side direct in her Amma's eyes.
The groom and his family picked one of the neighbors daughters and the wedding is in few weeks.<<
Khushi looked still in her eyes not realizing what her Amma said. Her mother's words just won't make any sense.
Garima on the other side became impatient, turned Khushi so that she stood in front of her and shook her on her arms.
>>Stupid girl, don't you understand? They took Naina Nair. Daughter of our Neighbour. Aaditya Nair's daughter. The family on the other side of the road.<<
Khushi looked down on the floor ashamed, now fully realizing what that meant for Paya. What this news meant for her whole family. She wanted to apologize and comfort her mother but her Amma continue with her speech and shattered with every said word, Khushi's fragile heart.
>>Don't dare to walk to my Payal and show her your face! You remain her on her loss. Stay away.<<
Garima left Khushi's arm and walked into Payal's room leaving her unwanted daughter behind.
Khushi was still looking down on the floor, when her Babuji walked by her to reach his own bedroom. Usually, he was the one who has always a nice word for his second daughter. He was always concerned about her wellbeing and never held his comforting words back, when it came to Khushi. Now his concern changed into pure ignorance and Khushi missed the old Babuji already. She wanted her old family back but didn't know how to make it happen that everyone is happy again.
>>Babuji?<<
Not thinking about the possible reaction the words wanted to left her mouth. This was her Babuji. Her best friend. The men who always has an advice, when she needed it. She can't lose her Babuji, because he wasn't just a father figure. He was her friend. Her hero. He saved her.
>>Khushi don't. Not now. Stay away.<<
Desperate for the old connection she walked to him and placed her hand on his arm. The same arm she used to touch daily to place his shawl when he went to market or Mandir.
>>Please Babuji, I need you.<<
Roughly, he removed her hand away.
>>What kind of father am I, Khushi? I hurt my own child so much, with my decision to...,<<
He didn't complete his sentence but Khushi knew what he meant. It was about him bringing a lonely child into his family. It was decision about her.
>>How will I live with this? How?<<
With this words he walked into his room and closed the door behind him too, leaving a crying Khushi behind.
She was so sad and felt alone. Was this all really her fault? Were Payal's words the truth? She took place in the dark corner of the living room and sat there for hours, before she felt into one restless sleep.
***
Next morning she awoke, when she felt something wet in her face. Her Amma stood there with one mug in her hand and looked angrily down at her.
>>Hey, sleepy princess, I want you to leave before Payal woke up and see you. And don't dare to come earlier home like you did yesterday. We don't want to see your face again. Our life is hard enough without you, don't make it harder with your presence.<<
Pure panic was seen in Khushi's face. He Amma was never so hateful so vile with her words toward Khushi. Tears floded her when she stood up und tried to hug her Amma.
>>I am sorry. I am sorry Amma, for hurting you and Payal. I promise, I will do everything. I will do whatever you want but please forgive me. You, Babuji and Payal are my only Family. Please Amma, don't send me away from you all.<<
Garima pushed her away, eyes full of hate.
>>What is this Khushi? Do you want to say that we don't treat you good? You are not even our blood. You are old enough. I could send you out of my house, but I let you sleep under our roof. All I am asking you, is to come later, so we don't have to face you every day. My Payal has to suffer enough, so just go now and come late back.<<
Khushi was crying because she couldn't understand the sudden change in her family. She couldn't understand the rejection they suddenly show toward her.
>>Please Amma, where should I go?<<
>>I don't know and I don't care, but don't dare to say a word to our neighbors. I don't want you to insult us. We gave you already enough, now it's your turn to give us back. Why don't you find some work and bring some money, or find one husband who would take you away so we have finally peace from you.<<
>>You don't mean that Amma.<<
>>Oh yes, I mean it. And don't dare to bring some groom's into my house. This is not your right. I will not welcome anyone for marrying one stranger from my house and serve them food.<<
Garima looked angrily into Khushi's eyes.
>>Yes, you are just a stranger.<<
Khushi's face was full of tears by hearing her Amma's harsh words. Every little drop full of unsaid pain. The woman who was her mother since she can remember, hate her. Not just hate, she wants her away from her home. Her own mother, made Khushi to a stranger.
>>And now go! Go!<<
***
Khushi left the house, before someone was on the streets. All neighbors still slept, so no one could see a lonely figure, walking down the street.
She walked and walked as far as her legs brought her away from her family's home. She promised herself to find one job and bring happiness back into her family's house. She promised to win back their love.
Khushi walked from shop to shop, fabrics, offices and asked for a job, but in the end wasn't successful. Even in sweets shops she tried her luck and asked for jobs, but no one needed new workers. Few of them told her to come later, but she didn't have one or two weeks time to wait. She needed now one job.
In the late afternoon Khushi felt weak and felt pain through her empty stomach. This was the moment she realized, how far away she was from her home, and how much time she spent on searching for a job. She didn't have any money in her pocked, just one old mobile which have few rupees on the card and she would sell it if there wasn't this important call she was waiting for. That's why, the only option left, was to ignore the pain, hunger and weakness and walk all the way back.
When her feet couldn't wear her anymore and she felt so weak she looked for an opportunity to sit down. This was the moment she realized where she actually was. In front of the well known Temple. How strange that she found her way back to this place, even she didn't plan to. She realized that she needed one place where she could take some rest, because her feet became numb.
She walked to one tree and was about to sit on the ground, when one voice interrupted her in her movements.
>>I thought you wouldn't come anymore. I thought I won't see you ever again.<<
Khushi's gaze followed his body slowly up till she reached his face. She sat down because she felt dizzy through her empty stomach. The words were there on her tongue but first she needed a minute to breathe, before she said anything to him.
Arnav didn't wait for her reply and took place right beside her. Even she didn't answer or react to his words, he still couldn't look away from her face. She was a beautiful girl but the deep lines on her face showed that she wasn't in a happy place. Something happened. Something big and Arnav needed to know if this big has to do with Shiyam.
>>What's wrong? I can see in your face that something is wrong? Are you sad because of something or someone? You know you can tell anything to me. We are friends and soon maybe husband and wife. Tell me, Khushi. What happened?<<
***
Arnav was waiting whole damn day for her. When he reached her home early in the morning, he waited for her to leave so he could follow her but after some time he realized that she was not at home anymore or decided to stay inside. He was sure if she decided not to see him again his whole plan was for nothing. That's why he became panic-sticken when she was missed at the Temple. The wait for her took a while and with every minute Arnav became more and more impatient. Just when he was about to drive back to her home, he saw her walking slowly to the place and his heart made one flip.
He was imagining her doing some dirty stuff with Shiyam and his anger grows into immense, but as soon he became a glimpse of her, he was calmed. He started to bomb her with questions just to find out where she was and why she looked so sad. The actually reason behind his questions were, to find out if there was some fight between Shiyam and her or if Shiyam finally did the right thing and ended their affair. This all were just speculations. Maybe they didn't have an affair. Maybe the relationship between the two, was just starting to bloom.
Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
No matter what the truth is, nothing will change Arnavs plans. He will do anything to bring Khushi far away from his sister and her husband and if this means to marry her himself, he will do it.
But, but, this marriage won't give her what she craved so much. No, no. Her fall will be hard and not only hers. Khushi's family will have to pay too. They will pay for Khushi's poor upbringing. They will pay for teaching their daughter to run after married men and their money.
Such people needed a lesson and he, Anjali's brother, will give it to them.
***
He gazed still at her and decided to change the topic. He was not interested anymore to find out where she was. All he needed was to talk with her about their so called marriage.
>>So? Did you decide?<<
He looked now direct into his eyes.
>>What?,<< she spoke.
>>I asked you something, yesterday. Don't you remember?<<
>>Oh<<
She looked back to her, in her lap, folded hands.
>>Arnavji, I am desperate for a job not a husband. You chosed the wrong girl to ask if she want'S to marry you. I need to support my family.<<
>>Don't worry about a job. As you husband, it's my pleasure and my obligation to help you and your family.<<
>>No, Arnavji. Please, don't ask me to marry you. I don't want to disappoint you, too.<<
>>Khushi, what do you mean with, disappoint you too? Whom did you disappoint already? How can one sweet angel like you, disappoint someone?<<
Khushi looked away to other direction, not able to face him and show her deep pain.
>>Please Arnavji. I just need one job.<<
>>Ok, fine. What if I organize you a job and you marry me for my effort?
She looked back in surprise.
>>I don't understand. Why marriage?<<
>>Why!? Well, I think because I like you. I fell for you. Call it destiny. Call it meant to be.<<
>>But you told me you don't believe in destiny.<<
>>When did I say that?<<
>>When we first met. When you saved my life. You said, we build our own destiny.<<
>>Well, you are right. But I said this before I met you. Before I really met you and talked to you. Before I found out what love is and how it felt. And in the one or other way, I am still building my destiny on my own.<<
>>How?<<
>>I am asking you to marry me.<<
Her lips curved slowly up while they shared one long view exchange.
>>Look, I promise, we will find one job. You can work and support your family. I won't interfere in this. I promise to help you as much as I can. I promise to support you in everything. Just say yes and let me handle everything.<<
Khushi thought about her parents. She thought about her promise and how she wanted to make them all happy again. In her innocence she imagined how she brings presents and money to her parents and they all hug her and tell her how much they love her and how much they are sorry.
How much she needed one friend right now. She never felt so lonely.
She looked to side, into this friendly face and realized that in the moment, he was her only friend. And she really didn't want to lose him.
>>You promise to help me to find a job and let me work there after our marriage?<<
>>Sure, I just want you with me.<<
Khushi blushed hearing his words.
>>And I can help my family with the money I am going to earn?<<
>>Sure.<<
>>You still remember that my family is not able to pay any dowry but I promise one day I will earn money and pay this dowry by myself.<<
He took her hand firm into his.
>>Don't say this.<<
>>This is what I want Arnavji. I will agree only if you accept all of my conditions.<<
He was looking around for a little bit and then looked back to her. It was clear that he was thinking about Khushi's words.
>>Ok.<<
>>And there is one more condition that I have.<<
>>Whatever you want, Khushi.<<
Arnav was curious about her last condition. What is it she wanted from him? He waited eager for an answer.
>>We marry alone and we go to my home to see my parents, after our marriage, when I have one job and earn enough money. Only after I earn some money I want to go to them.<<
As much he was surprised by this one condition he didn't show it. He just nodded and agreed with everything she wanted, to get her into the trap.
>>Oh, and I have one more condition.<<
>>One more? I thought the last one was the last.<<
>>No, I am sorry only one more.<<
>>Ok, good, go ahead.<<
She swallowed hard.
>>Don't ask me why I want our marriage to be without my parents. One day I will explain but not now. I can't. I just can't talk about the reason to marry without them.<<
He took her hands in both of his palms. The warmth gave her strength and she felt secure under his touch.
>>Ssshhh, it's ok. You don't need to explain.<<
>>But I have few condition's too.<<
She waited breathless for his opening and listen to him carefully when he finally started to speak.
>>I want our marriage to happen as soon as possible. I can't wait for my family to arrive from all corners of the world to attend our marriage. Once we go to Delhi, we will have a big wedding and my family will be there and maybe yours too.<<
Her glance became sad.
>>Maybe.<<
>>Other conditions are coming later. They are not important.<<
>>Ji.<<
She agreed silently and shy.
>>Good, I am going to Temple and ask Pandit when we can get married.<<
He stood up and wanted to walk away, but before he continued to walk, he turned back and asked the most important question, again.
>>So was this a YES from you? Will you marry me?<<
He smiles weak, awaiting her answer.
>>Yes, I will marry you.<<
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