30 Dad
Part 30 Dad
Khushi was shocked to hear Aashi calling Arnav as DAD. Lavanya was confused about it.
"Aashu, who is Arnav?" Even though she knew Arnav, she asked that to know about Aashi's side.
"He is Mom's friend... just like Nanne Dad... I like him so much." She said, tilting her head cutely, her innocence shining through.
"I see. Why do you like him?"
"He gives me whatever I like even before I ask him. He plays with me, takes me to the park, helps me with my homework, and fights with my teacher for me. My teacher fears of him..." she chuckled.
"Really?" Lavanya was surprised.
"Yes, because he loves me so much." She was confident.
"Oh, give the phone to Mom."
Aashi passed the phone on to Khushi.
"Haan La..." Khushi hesitated.
"It seems Aashi loves Arnav so much."
"This is very shocking to me... I don't know what made her call him Dad."
"Didn't you hear what she said? It seems he is celebrating her. Children would get close to the one who loves them unconditionally. Aashi sounds confident about Arnav's love for her. Make sure he is a nice person. Or else Aashi will be disappointed. After all, she is a kid."
"He is a nice person, but I don't know how he will react if Aashi calls him Dad."
"This is an awkward situation indeed... handle it carefully without hurting Aashi. Be careful."
"Mmm"
"Bye..."
"Convey my wishes to Nanne."
"Sure"
"Bye"
Khushi disconnected the call and looked at Aashi.
"Aashi, why do you address Arnav as DAD?" She maintained calmness in her voice.
"He is your friend, like NK Dad. He is also looking after me like NK Dad. He is taking care of me MORE THAN NK Dad. He gives me what I like. I don't like to call him Mr. Puzzle. That's why I call him Dad."
Khushi was stunned; it was not a slip of the tongue. Aashi was very clear about what she was doing. It seemed Aashi was fully set to call Arnav as Dad. Khushi wanted to stop it right away. This was not London but India. Arnav should answer people if Aashi would call him Dad.
"Aashi beta, you should not call him Dad. Ok?"
"Why? All my friends think he is my Dad. They think he loves me so much... Doesn't he love me?" she asked sadly.
Khushi understood why Aashi wanted to call him Dad.
"No doubt Arnav loves you so much, but he won't like you call him Dad. If you call him Dad, he will throw you out of RM. Be careful. Don't call him so... understand?"
Aashi's face changed. The thought of Arnav throwing her out of the house was unbearable. Her eyes welled up with tears, a mix of fear and confusion clouding her face, highlighting the emotional turmoil she was in.
"He won't throw me out of his house..." She flipped her lower lip in anger.
Khushi felt bad for Aashi.
"Aashi, listen to me..."
"Nooo... he won't throw me..."
She got down from the bed and rushed out of the room. Khushi was horrified and followed her. She saw Arnav having coffee with Ratna, and they panicked to see Aashi crying.
"What happened, Beta?" Arnav rushed to her, his protective instincts kicking in, his presence a source of reassurance.
Aashi hugged his knees and looked at him, lifting her head,
"Will you throw me out of your house if I call you DAD?" She asked, making the trio stun.
Ratna stood up from the couch shockingly. She had no idea what made Aashi ask so.
"Aashiiii..." Khushi shouted in anger and advanced her speedily.
She was supposed to hold Aashi, but Arnav pulled Aashi behind him and hid her from Khushi, composing himself.
"Arnav, she is..."
He stopped her, showing his palm. Ratna was reading Arnav's face, which was utterly calm, demonstrating his control over the situation. He looked at Aashi and asked,
"Do you think I will throw you out of my house?" he asked, wiping her cheek.
"Noooo"
"Then why are you thinking so?" he intentionally asked because he knew Khushi would have told her that.
"Mom told me." She said with quivering lips.
Arnav looked at Khushi disappointedly.
"Is this how you handle a kid, Khushi?" He asked, maintaining his calm demeanour.
"Arnav, it will lead us to unnecessary problems. It's better if we stop it at the beginning."
"Whatever the problem is, I will handle it..." Arnav said in a soft tone, his determination evident.
Khushi rolled her eyes and said,
"Arnav, try to understand. She wants to call you DAD. Do you understand the meaning? People will think you are her FATHER. What will you answer?" Khushi's frustration was evident in her tone, showing the intensity of her feelings.
"Do you have any problem if she calls me DAD? Will you feel ashamed to answer?"
Khushi was stunned. What kind of question was that? She didn't know what he was up to.
"Arnav, I'm not talking about my feelings because it's not a problem..."
"Then what's the problem?"
"You are a reputed man in society and..."
Cutting her,
"I don't give a damn about society. Doesn't Aashi call NK Dad? Then why not me?"
Khushi sighed wearily.
"Arnav, he was in London. Aashi calls him Dad and his wife Mom. It makes a difference, Arnav."
"Just because I'm unmarried, don't I deserve to be called Dad?"
"I don't know how to make you understand."
"You can make me understand later. Ok?"
Khushi looked at him, perplexed.
Arnav lifted Aashi. In no time, she asked, holding his chin pleadingly,
"Shall I call you Dad?"
"Why do you want to call me Dad? Are your teacher and friends thinking I'm your Dad because I fought with your teacher?"
Khushi was amazed at his understanding, but Aashi amazed her.
"Not only that. I want to call you Dad because I like you so much. No one loves me like you do..." She said sadly.
Arnav looked at Khushi, who gulped down.
"You can call me anything you wish. If anyone says I will throw you out of the house, tell them I won't do that... ok?"
Aashi looked at Khushi and said,
"See, didn't I say he won't throw me out of the house...?"
"Did you say I won't do so?" Arnav wondered.
"Yes, because I know you love me," Aashi said pridefully.
Arnav nodded yes. Aashi kissed his cheek and said,
"Thank you, Dad."
Arnav felt something in his heart to hear DAD from his daughter. He kissed her forehead.
"Put me down; I want to finish my homework."
Arnav put her down with a smile. Aashi ran to their room cheerfully.
"You are taking a risk, Arnav. You are pampering her a lot. It's not good for any of us."
Arnav understood what she meant.
"She wants to call me Dad, which means she feels protective of me. She is a kid..."
"But..."
"We will talk later, Khushi; go and help Aashi to finish her homework."
Khushi stood looking at him.
"We will talk later..." he said tenderly.
Khushi left the place. Arnav looked at Ratna, who was gazing contently at him. He came and sat beside her.
"Do you realise the issue, Chotte?"
Arnav looked at her silently.
"I mean..."
"Mom, you know I don't care about society."
"I don't know what made you take the serious issue so coolly. The man who didn't want to get married allowed a kid to call him DAD. I don't think this is a simple thing."
Arnav gulped down.
"Do you like Khushi?" Ratna arrowed an unexpected question that trembled him.
He looked at her stunningly and switched his gaze.
"If you like her, I have no problem getting her married to you," she said, surprising Arnav. He knew how traditional Ratna was. He didn't believe she said that.
"Yes, Chotte. I don't know what happened in Khushi's life. She became a single mother. I'm sure she is a nice girl. If the circumstance allows you to marry her, if she is ready to marry you, I have no problem. I can see your attachment with Aashi. Rather than being a bachelor for your lifetime, marrying a helpless girl is much better because you need someone for yourself. You can't be single for your whole life. I will be happy if you get a companion to look after you AFTER my life." Ratna said emotionally.
Arnav understood what made her accept Khushi. He wanted to tell her who Khushi was, but he was unsure how much Ratna would keep the secret. He didn't want Khushi to hear anything about it. He knew Khushi had a good opinion of him and didn't want to spoil it. He wanted to tell the truth at the right time.
Arnav went to his room and checked the mail on his laptop. After a while, he heard a knock on the door. He saw Khushi standing. He sat straight and nodded his head, permitting her to enter.
"Tell me, Khushi"
"I don't know what made you risk."
"Take your seat first, and we can talk."
Khushi sighed and sat on the bed, facing him.
"I don't see any risk in it", Arnav answered her question.
"Do you understand the meaning of Dad?"
"People will think I'm her father..."
"Not only that..."
Cutting her,
"And I'm your husband. Right?"
Khushi looked down, gulping down. That was an awkward situation. Arnav was a nice person. She didn't want to embarrass him, but Arnav stunned her with his next stance.
"If you like me, I will marry you, Khushi."
Khushi threw an unbelievable stare at him.
"Because I like you," he added.
Arnav saw an extreme level of shock in her face that he expected.
To be continued...
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