48 Lost Spark
Part 48 Lost Spark
Khushi and Shashi were stuck seeing one another. How many days...! Khushi fisted her fingers as she felt weak. Just now, she spoke to Arnav about handling her father, but it didn't seem easy. What would she do if he said to her lovingly? Would she stand? Would he speak LOVINGLY? A longing expectation was raised in her mind.
Arnav looked at Khushi and understood her turmoil. A well-known fear occupied his mind. How would she handle her father if he spoke to her lovingly? The same fear was raised in his mind. She was ready to marry him, so why would he hesitate to handle the situation? Why would he hesitate as Khushi accepted his proposal and was prepared to marry him?
Pramod looked at Shashi, who looked emotional. He sensed danger. He was supposed to say something, but before he did that, Shyam broke the silence.
"I heard you came back. I expected you to come to our house, but you didn't. Didn't you think of meeting us? Do you think you can live without our support?" he asked in the same tone he used five years ago.
His last stance pricked Khushi.
"There is nothing to think about because I started living without your support long ago." Her tone was definitely different.
"Oh, so you threw us away from your life?"
"It's not me but you who threw me away from your life." Her voice was not angry, but serene, which made Arnav wonder.
Shyam composed himself.
"Ok... happened is happened. Let's go..."
"Where?"
"What kind of question is this? You have a house..."
Cutting him,
"The more I know, the more I realise there is thing as my house"
"Oh, then what are you doing in this house? Do you know with whom you are staying?"
"I know... he is Arnav Singh Raizada..."
"He is the one who raped you. Do you know that?" Shyam raised his voice.
Arnav tightened his jaws and was about to say something, but stopped hearing.
"Who said?" Khushi asked, looking at Pramod.
"Yes, he said... so what? Would not he say the TRUTH?"
"TRUTH? What truth are you talking about? Why didn't he tell you the truth when I came home that night? Why did he and his sister want me to marry him? Why did he tell you the truth after five years? Did you ask this TRUTH TELLER these questions?" She mocked, looking at Pramod.
"What's your point?"
"There is nothing to discuss... I'm not going to come anywhere. You can go"
"That's all you want to say?"
"I would not have said that, either. As you came here and asked me, I was forced to tell you that."
"Why are you so arrogant, Khushi?"
"I wish I had been like this from the beginning. Then, no one would have dared to play with me." She spat fire on Pramod.
"Khushi, did you think staying at a stranger's place would bring you disgrace?"
"I already received the disgrace from my own family five years ago. And, the one whom you called a stranger is the one who sheltered me... protected me... supported me"
"He raped you..."
"So what? He didn't try to hide it from me. It takes great courage to admit a mistake. He has that courage. He confronted me with it."
"So, you stayed with him? Don't you feel ashamed to say so?"
"Why should I feel ashamed? I'm staying with none other than my daughter's father..."
Not only Shashi and Shyam but also Pramod were shocked. They looked at each other. Even Arnav didn't expect it.
"Daughter?" Shyam frowned.
"Yes, I have a daughter. And I decided to marry the father of my daughter. If you feel it shameful, I don't care," Khushi said, not looking at Shashi, who didn't even utter a single word but gazed at her.
Ratna was listening to their talks from her room on the ground floor. She kept Aashi's concentration on her story.
"Aashi beta, did you like the story?"
"So much..."
"Will you do what I say?"
"Yes..."
"Go and say good night to Mom and Dad"
"Ok..."
Aashi got out of bed and went out.
Shyam, supposed to say something, stopped, seeing the cute girl rushing. All of their eyes were on her. As usual, Aashi ran to Arnav first.
"Dad..."
Arnav lifted her in his arms.
"Dad, I forgot to tell you something..."
"What?"
"Good night..." She kissed his cheek.
Arnav smiled and kissed her.
"Good night..."
Aashi looked at Khushi, who was looking at them. Aashi gestured for her to come to her. Khushi went to her.
"Good night to you, too..." She kissed her cheek.
"Good night." Khushi smiled.
Aashi looked at Shashi, who was emotional, seeing his granddaughter.
"Mom, who are they?" Aashi asked.
"You don't know them..." Khushi sai,d looking at Shashi.
"Are they your PATIENTS?"
Khushi smiled, not answering.
"Didn't you sleep?" Arnav asked.
"I was listening to a story from Dadi. Will sleep after hearing another story."
"Ok, go..."
"Bye..."
She got down from him and again rushed to Ratna's room. All of them looked at her all the way to Ratna's room.
Shashi looked at Khushi with an unnamed emotion. Shyam was supposed to say something, but Shashi stopped him.
"Shyam... let's go..." Shashi walked.
Shyam looked at Khushi restlessly and followed Shashi. Pramod looked at Arnav, who rolled up his sleeves. He rushed out.
Khushi looked at Arnav and headed to her room. Arnav stopped her.
"Why didn't you tell them who was behind the ploy?"
"What am I going to do by telling them that?"
"Do you think they will not trust you if you tell them the truth?"
"It was also one of the reasons..."
"Another one?"
"My brother will throw his wife out..."
"She deserves it"
"But, her daughter doesn't..."
Arnav was speechless.
"At first, I didn't think about Shali, my niece. I was fully set to bring them to the middle of the road. But, after seeing Aashi's desire to be all together, I changed my decision. Shali will be the most affected person if her parents get separated. Or, if her parents started fighting with each other. It's not good for a girl's mental health. She is entering her TEENs now. I don't want to spoil her life."
"What about Sheetal? Will you forgive her, too? She not only spiked your drink but is also going to marry Aman Mathur..."
"Aman got to know the truth. He even proposed to me. Hereafter, there is nothing we could do." She sighed.
"You know what? I met you once in a jewellery shop where you threatened Sheetal"
Khushi looked at him, surprised.
"At that time, I didn't know who you were. I was so impressed by your guts. When I learned you are Payal's friend and were going to treat my mother, I was glad about the sparky you. How did you lose the spark, Khushi?"
"I would not have lost the spark if I had not met you. Or, if YOU are not Aashi's father. Everything is changed now. I don't feel bad about whatever happened in my life. So, the spark is gone." She smiled.
Arnav was stunned. He understood what she meant. She was happy about HIM. She had no regret about the incident, the insult, the struggle, anything...! It was because of HIM. How prominent was the position she had been kept in? He didn't know if he deserved it.
Arnav looked at Ratna, who smiled at them.
"Mom, why did you send Aashi out?" Arnav asked.
"So what? Any problem?"
"I was tense. What if they had said anything in front of her?"
"No, Chotte... you didn't understand grandparents' theory. After seeing Aashi, he would not have done anything, even if he had an idea of doing something. That's the power of grandchildren. See, how silently he left the place..." Ratna said.
"No, Mom, he was silent from the beginning. He didn't utter a single word. It was Khushi's brother who spoke."
Khushi nodded yes.
"I too don't know what's in my father's mind."
"I think he just came here to SEE Khushi. Nothing other than that." Arnav said.
Khushi was silent, thinking the same thing.
"Did Aashi sleep, aunty?"
"Yeah, she just slept" Ratna said.
Khushi nodded and said,
"Good night, aunty"
She smiled at Arnav and was about to go to her room.
"Khushi beta, one minute..." Ratna stopped her.
Khushi looked at her, and Arnav listened to her.
"You said we will go for a court marriage."
Khushi nodded.
"If we go for a court marriage, we must wait one month."
Khushi looked at Arnav who nodded yes.
"They will put your name on the board to see if anyone objects to the marriage. You can marry only if no one objects. It's a formality." Ratna said.
"Do you think anyone may object?"
"Will you say no?"
Khushi was thoughtful.
"If you get married simply, you can register your marriage easily."
Khushi was silent. She understood what Ratna wanted.
"Shall I arrange your marriage simply at home tomorrow?"
Khushi was stunned.
"Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow is an auspicious day... that's why..." Ratna hesitated.
Khushi looked at Arnav, who was gazing at her, expecting her answer.
Khushi nodded and went to her room. Ratna huffed in relief. Arnav was looking at her retreating figure unbelievably. His marriage was going to be held with Khushi tomorrow!
To be continued...
Note: Thank God, I didn't complete it in cliff hanger.
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