13 Strange
Part 13 Strange
Arnav went to his portion without heeding Ganguraj, leaving him furious. Ganguraj was not ready to leave it easily. He could not take it. He headed to Khushi's portion. Arnav, who was supposed to enter his portion, looked back and saw him heading to Khushi's house. He gritted his teeth and zoomed to him, but he was late. Ganguraj knocked... correction... banged on Khushi's portion door.
Khushi opened the door with a smile, expecting Arnav. As he was Ganguraj, her face became rigid.
"What do you think of yourself? Here, I've been waiting for you for years, and you decided to marry the one who just came to this area..."
By now, Arnav had reached there. He stood looking at Khushi, not knowing what to do. Khushi folded her hands.
"Haan... I'm going to marry him. So what?" Khushi said firmly.
"How dare you!" he took a step towards her, but Arnav came between them and stood with a dangerous gaze.
"This is the matter between Khushi and me. Don't you dare come into it." Ganguraj warned Arnav.
"I think I should not have left you and should have broken your bones..." Arnav said.
Khushi was surprised. Did they fight? When did it happen? She noticed Ganguraj, who looked dirty. Did Arnav hit him? It didn't seem so.
"I'm not impotent, not to defy you. I could also break your bones..."
"Really?"
"Khushi, I want to hear from you. Ask him to stay away from this..."
"Why should I stay away from this? Who are you to say that?"
Before Ganguraj said anything, Khushi took the lead.
"Wait, Arnav..."
"See, she wants to talk to me. Khushi... tell him, you will marry me."
"Why do you want to marry me?"
"What question is this, Khushi? I love you."
"Ok. Arnav agreed to my condition. If you agree to it, I will surely marry you."
"What condition?"
"I will not work after the marriage. And I will fulfil my father's last wish."
"What's your father's last wish?"
"He wanted me to give this house to an old-age home."
"Whaaat?"
"Yes. He wanted to help the helpless."
Ganguraj was thunderstruck.
"You love me. You will fight for me too. I know you will marry me and look after me like a queen. Don't you?"
Ganguraj didn't know what to say.
"Arnav agreed to my condition. That's why I'm ready to marry him."
"But this house's worth would be more than a crore..."
"Of course, that's why my father wanted to donate this house to an old age home."
"He will not let you do that. He is pretending to be a good person..."
"I'm ready to give a written statement on a stamp paper," Arnav said, and Ganguraj became irritated. He left the place murmuring.
"What happened? Why did you go without answering?" Khushi asked, but he didn't look at her.
Arnav smiled.
"What did you do? Did you hit him?" She asked.
"I should have done that. Then he would not have spoken standing in front of me..."
"Oi... why are you talking like a rowdy? Hann?" She asked.
"He talked too much and tried to hit me. So, I pushed him to the ground."
Khushi noticed people looking at her house, hiding.
"It seems everyone got to know about our wedding...?"
"It's not my fault. Ganguraj shouted, and everyone heard it."
"Mmm..."
Arnav went to his portion. Khushi saw Akshaya coming. She rolled her eyes; she was already in trouble due to her menstrual cycle. Adding to it, this was a headache. She supposed. She was about to close the door, but Akshaya stopped her.
"Arnav said you are going to marry him. Is it true?"
Khushi gazed at her without answering. That look was enough for Akshaya to understand it was true. She pushed Khushi inside and locked the door, coming inside.
"What are you doing, Khushi?"
"What?"
"He is a simple driver. Earns only twenty-five thousand. How is it enough for you?"
"I got a job, and I will manage with my salary."
"Why should you do that, Khushi? Be at home like a queen, instead of going to work. A poor man like him will not suit any girl."
"Maybe for you..."
"Whaat?"
"He might not suit you but me..."
"Don't take a risk. Then you will repent in future."
"I won't because I like him."
"He looks dirty with a beard and rough-looking clothes. How do you like him?"
"I like his character..."
"It will not feed you..."
"No problem. I will feed him..."
Akshaya sighed. Her sight fell on the bangles that Khushi kept under the pillow. She saw that when the pillow was slightly moved. She thought something.
"Khushi, can I get water..."
Khushi took a few steps to get the water jug. That small time was enough for Akshaya. She removed her guilt bangle from her hand and kept it under the pillow and took Khushi's gold bangle. She wore it in her hand. Taking the water jug from Khushi, she drank it.
"Thanks..." She walked out, not wanting to be there.
Akshaya came out and smirked.
"Didn't you say my bangles are not looking like yours? Let me see if you find the bangles guilty."
The next day
Khushi felt better. She thought of preparing tea. So went to the kitchen. She stopped hearing a knock. She opened the door and smiled, seeing Arnav with two cups of tea.
"Good morning," he said, extending a cup towards her.
"I was supposed to go to the kitchen..."
"How will I let you go to the kitchen?" he asked.
"Thanks..."
"My pleasure..." he sipped.
"Why are you standing outside? Come in..."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, everyone got to know about our marital status. So..."
Cutting her off,
"So? Don't you care about anything?"
"No... people will not trust us from here on, no matter how strict we are. They will think what they want."
"Not like that, Khushi. People will talk, according to what we do. They won't build up stories without a base. I agree they will build many floors if they get a BASE, but we should understand one thing: they will build ONLY if we provide BASE. If not, they will not."
Khushi nodded.
"Ok, you go and get ready. I will also get ready."
"Where?"
"Where else? Office."
"Today, you will be on leave."
"But why?"
"Because you are not feeling well."
"I'm better now."
"Just better... not completely all right."
Khushi rolled her eyes.
"Take a rest today. You will go to the office tomorrow. I will also get a day off."
"You? But why?"
"How could I go to the office when you are not feeling well?"
"I can manage, Arnav."
"You can manage from tomorrow."
"I just joined work..."
"They will understand. Your office staff saw you fainting. So, they will pass the message."
"What if they don't accept my leave application and fire me from the job?"
"How could they be so blunt? I don't think so. They will understand."
That was when Khushi got a call from her HR head.
"Shhh... our HR head..." Khushi said.
Arnav nodded ok and gestured for her to speak.
"Good morning, sir."
"We heard you fainted yesterday. Do needed check-ups and come to the office tomorrow. Take leave today."
Khushi was speechless. That was the first time a company itself came forward and gave leave. Wasn't it so strange?
To be continued...
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