His words ringed in her ears, she looked up into his eyes!! And then only she noticed him clearly after all these hours.. he was looking so disturbed, his eyes!! Why his eyes were seemed hollow?? There were much more emotion his eyes reflected but she failed to read any.. She quickly looked away as Arnav unlocked the door.
"I'll return to hospital after sometime.."
"Your wish!!", her voice was cold. But he wanted to tell her..something.. just not sure about what!! Just not sure from where to start and how..
It was totally a different feeling when Khushi unlocked her own bedroom. It was almost like a new place but when she entered in she found herself in her very own world!! Her eyes travelled around before she sat on bed.
After almost one hour, when Arnav went downstairs could smell the aroma of spices coming from kitchen.. It gave him a familiar vibe, he was about to move towards door when heard..
"Wait for a moment.. I have cooked dinner for Baba, you can give him."
She did not make any eye contact or extend their conversation.. Conversing with him after all these fiasco seem the most difficult one.
Handing him bag, she went away!! Soon she heard the car leaving the boundary. Serving herself on one plate, she came to dining table.. She did not call him for meal, she did not wish it either!! At that time, she was not ready to have her meal with him alone.. And more over she should not bother right.. He eats or not, should be his concerned!! She does not wish to involve herself.. Filling her stomach, Khushi went to back to her room..
*********************
"Khushi has sent dinner for you..", said Arnav while placing bag in front of Aarav.
"And you??", asked Aarav finding Arnav making his way towards Anita who was awake now. They were inside her cabin.
"I have had..", Arnav knew it was a bad manner to lie especially to parents.. He kissed his mother on her head..
"Aap thik ho??"
"Bilkul.."
"Ohh.. Then I guess this another dinner box is sent by mistake..", Anita and Aarav exchanged look. Arnav looked back at his father then back at his mother. Were their eyes twinkling?? But for what?? Maa appears as if her drug is not needed anymore, all of sudden!!
"Come on Chotey.. Don't waste food.. Come here.."
"Papa I said.."
"And I heard you already.. Now come here."
Arnav was about to deny once again but stopped.
"I'll wash my hands and come back.."
"No need.. Come here fast!!", called Aarav while making a morsel of food. Arnav bent his head silently as Aarav feed him the bite.
After dinner when Arnav left the cabin to wash used plates, Anita looked at Aarav..
"What are you thinking??"
"The same that you think.."
"I know both of them.. They will never agree...."
"They need a solid PUSH!!", added Aarav looking at his wife!!
*****************************
It was morning, getting ready Khushi again and again checked her wrist watch!! It was showing 10 am. All will return soon and she can't wait to meet Mumma Baba here, back home.. Restlessly she started walking hence and forth as if measuring the living area perimeter until she heard the horn. She quickly rushed and opened the door..
Aarav was helping Anita to come out from car, Khushi reached there and helped Anita mean meanwhile Arnav was busy taking out stuffs from backseat.
"Are you ok??"
"Much..much better.."
Khushi smiled and kissed Anita's palm.. Anita smiled at her gesture, she was happy being welcomed back like this!! Everyone came inside, while Aarav and Anita took seat in living room Arnav went straight to his room. Khushi went to get some water for Baba Mumma..
After some time Anjali reached with Karan and Kaira!! They talked together for some time though Arnav did not take part in any of this. It was time to cook lunch, Khushi got up excusing from other. Anjali too got up to help Khushi because Anita for sure was not allowed to do anything. While Khushi was cutting veggies, Anjali prepared rice!!
"Khushi.."
"Han Di.."
"I'm sorry.."
"Shh Di.. Don't say please.. I should be one to ask forgiveness.."
"Can we become like past Khushi?? We were happy then??"
"Hmm.."
" AndKhushi.. I just want to tell you, we all love you and Chotey same way. You have no idea what you both mean to us Khushi.. Just never be upset with us Khushi.."
"I'll not.. I'm sorry too Di, I know I was really terrible that day!! I hurt you and Jiju.."
"Does not matter.. Karan and I just want you to be happy.. That's it.."
"I know Di.. Let's forget it.."
"Yes.. We should.."
Smiling lovingly Khushi and Anjali worked together, after a long time Anjali felt that she was in deed back to her parent's place.
While chopping veggies Khushi gave a long look towards living area where all were sitting together. Taking deep breath she shut her eyes.. She can't afford to lose these people once again.
Sudden revelation of the marriage, Krishna's sudden proposal for marriage from no matter how ,then Arnav's step to rush marriage, then their bitter conversations.. in between all these Khushi found herself lost. She unable to grasp all these happening around so fast, she was not even given enough time to calm her disturbed heart when one by one incident took place making her go mad!! She lost her sanity, her sense, her own grip over emotion and ended up distancing herself from everyone..
But.. she can't afford to do same especially after meeting Maa at hospital!! She can't tolerate if anything happens to this family because of any reason.. Pressing her lips together, Khushi promised herself.
Seeing her absent minded, Anjali tapped her shoulder. Khushi came back to sense.
"Kya hua??"
In next instance Khushi just embraced Anjali tightly..
"I'm so sorry Di.."
Though now the definition of relation between them has changed somehow, Khushi did not wish to bring that between them and spoil her own mood..
All sat together for lunch except Khushi . Kaira was not ready to leave her Cookie finding her after so many days. She was following her holding her dupatta and asking all those questions she could not ask these days.. Khushi took some rice and mixing with curry kept in Puchpuch's eating pot. Puchpuch first licked Khushi's hands, then started eating making cute sound.. Kaira giggled and kissed his head..
After this Kaira and Khushi joined others..
It's been two days now. Anita was recovering. It was morning 11 am. Arnav was in his room doing something on his laptop while sitting on bed. He heard knock and raised his eyes only to find Anita at door way..
"Maa.. (Arnav climbed down from bed soon and reached near Anita..) You could have called me, you know!!"
Asked Arnav showing genuine concern for his mother. Anita smiled when he made her seated comfortably on bed and pulled another chair for himself to in front of her.. Scanning his face for a whole 60 seconds, Anita cupped his faced and placed her lips on his forehead.. Arnav smiled..
"Kya hua hai Maa??'
"Nothing..(pause) Tum thik ho na Chotey??
Arnav smiled a little hearing her, taking her hands those were cupping his face he asked..
"And why do you think I'll not be fine?"
In return Anita just shook her head..
"Tum naraj ho Khushi se Chotey??"
"Why this question Maa??"
"Because I want to know what's going on with my Chotey.."
Arnav took a deep sigh, squeezing her hands he replied..
"Mein thik hun.. And I'm not upset with anyone.. Are you getting that??", spoke Arnav looking into his mother's eyes. His words were true some how, may not be 100 percent but he was fine and not upset..
"You took the decision to marry again Chotey and I don't regret it.. But the way it happened, it was never planned..(Arnav did not interfere, Anita continued..) I genuinely want Khushi and you together.. Am I expecting much Chotey??"
"And what about Khushi??"
"I want to know about you??"
"Does not matter Maa.."
"Of course it matters.. You matter a lot Chotey.."
*******************
It was afternoon, . Anita did not wish to go to her room and stick to bed. So she was sitting with Khushi watching some random show on TV when Arnav reached there from somewhere.. He has been away after lunch.
"Chotey!!"
"Han Maa"
Khushi shifted on her sitting place, clutching the remote control in her grip she glued her eyes on TV screen. Why is it feel so difficult around this man now?? It feels as if he is some stranger now.
Anita patted the vacant seat beside her. Arnav went and sat taking her hand in his and kissed his mother's hand.. Silence prevailed and Anita knew until she initiated this silence will not go away.
"Khushi.."
"Han Maa.."
"Can I ask something please??"
Khushi did not wish to give in, may be she was guessing right!! Still she nodded her head because she wanted Maa to be happy at any damn cost. Anita took a deep sigh..
"Is it possible.. that Chotey and you can stay together??"
"Maa Please..", Arnav tried to intervene.. He has not thought that his mother would ask Khushi today itself. He was thinking Anita will give some more time, but her sudden and same question made Arnav concerned..
But Anita stopped him..
"Let me talk Chotey..", Anita looked back at Khushi..
"Khushi..??"
Arnav's eyes travelled towards Khushi who was looking down at her lap.. Anita continued..
"Can I expect you two together??.. Please??"
Khushi did not react or say anything for next few minutes, when she looked up not even for a mere second she looked at Arnav and replied..
"Ok.. We will!! You want us to stay together, we will stay together..(Her eyes were moisten..)"
Anita felt miserable when she saw her gaze glistening slightly..
"I am taking advantages of my health, my situation.. making You say YES.. Are not I??"
Khushi shook her head..
"No, And don't think this as well Maa.."
Taking Khushi's hand Anita added, "Please forgive me Khushi.."
"No Maa.. Stop saying it!!", Khushi took Anita in her embrace and patted her back.
She inhaled deeply. No idea how right or wrong this decision was, no idea whether she will ever be able to accept this marriage in real ever in life, no idea whether she will ever be think this marriage may work or not.. But standing at this position of life, finding Anita Mumma and Baba at hospital.. Khushi was not ready to face that moment again in life!! If their staying together can give Maa Baba a normal life, she was ready to do it!! And most importantly she should never forget, she was doing that because of Maa Baba!! If they are happy with this decision, then no argument over this..