18 Affirmation
Part 18 Affirmation
Arnav got back to his bed silently. He was thinking about what his mother said about him. He didn’t take Khushi’s denial seriously till the day. His mother’s statement made him think of it because his mother directly showed her dissatisfaction regarding his behavior towards Khushi.
Furthermore, his father said that Khushi is more like Ratna. Arvind never told him that. He might have been bothered about his behavior when they met Khushi in Gandhi Park. If his mother doesn’t like his behavior, how could Khushi like it? Arnav thought in the right direction for the first time.
He wants Khushi… there is no second thought about that. His Mom told that Khushi will never accept his proposal as she is thinking of him as a playboy. Giving up on her is next to impossible. She was the reason, he is alive today. Adding to it, she has brought his family’s lost happiness again… she brought his mother back… she is his ANGEL… Only he can give her a happy life. Only she can be his wife. He has to get her by hook or by crook. But how? He closed his eyes thinking about it. Ratna won’t help him until Khushi is okay with his proposal.
The next morning
Khushi woke up, stretching her hands. She came out of the room and saw Ratna, Arvind, and Arnav talking with the children.
*I’m going to Delhi… I will visit you often… New caretakers will look after you… ok?* Ratna said.
A few children understood the situation whereas a few small children cried for Ratna. They looked at Arnav, wiping their faces when he started talking.
Taking a bit of paper, Arnav read it. Those were translated sentences by father John. Arnav requested him to translate as he wanted to say that to the children.
*You are clever children. Don’t think, you are losing your Ratnama, think that you got a father and a brother…*
Ratna looked at him surprisingly. She translated them to Arvind in Hindi.
*Yes, he is right… I mean, your brother is right… Consider us as your father and brother…* Arvind said and Ratna translated it to the children.
*You guys should take your life seriously… start studying sincerely… we will help you with your studies… you will get settled in life if you study well…ok?*
*Ok, Chotte Anna…(Chotte bhai)*
Arvind laughed hearing CHOTTE ANNA whereas Arnav rolled his eyes.
*There is a voting machine in the father’s office. You will vote every month for a caretaker you like the most. We will give a bonus to the best caretaker every month. The vote will be counted by me*
*But, you are in Delhi* a smart boy asked.
*It’s a computerized voting machine…I can count it from Delhi*
*Ohh*
*And… we are going to award good students also…*
The children applauded.
*Let’s see, who is going to be awarded…*
*I will be…* a girl said.
*I will also be* a boy said.
*Good… keep going* Arnav smiled.
Khushi was standing, listening to Arnav’s talks with the children. She sensed a difference in him. He has a soft corner for the children. Thank God he doesn’t get irritated by the children. She smiled.
Arnav, who was talking to the children, felt something in his heart. He closed his eyes as a gust of wind touched his face. He turned around and found Khushi standing, wearing a nightgown. Khushi became alert and went inside to have a bath whereas Arnav wondered about his feelings. How could he sense her presence? He couldn’t understand.
Ratna took leave from the children, staff, and the father John. They gave her leave with tears no matter how hard they tried to control them.
They reached Nagapattinam where there was a helicopter waiting to take them to Pondichery. Ratna sat beside Khushi and smiled at her. She so wanted to get the girl in front of her as her bahu but her son has created a different image in her mind. She didn’t know how to erase it… didn’t know what her son is going to do… by God’s grace, he will not make it difficult. Ratna thought about it inwardly.
*How many of you are there in your family?* Ratna asked Khushi.
*Babuji, Amma, and me…*
*Don’t you have sisters and brothers?*
*No aunty…*
*You also a single child like our Chotte…*
Khushi nodded yes smilingly.
*Their family is also just like ours, Ratna… his father trusts us very much. That’s why he sent Khushi with us…* Arvind said.
*We will invite them to our house once…* Ratna said.
*Sure… we will also go there to thank them…*
*Definitely… and before that, we should thank Khushi* Ratna said, looking at Arnav who smiled slightly.
Ratna wondered why he didn’t interfere in their conversation.
They reached Delhi on a private flight. Shashi was waiting for Khushi at the AirPort. Khushi hugged him all smiling.
*Hello, Shashiji…* Arvind shook hands with him.
*Namaste, Ji…* Shashi said.
*Babuji, She is Ratna aunty…*
*Namaste…*
*Thank you so much for sending Khushi with my husband* Ratna said.
*It’s ok Ji… we are happy you got your family back…*
*Thank you so much*
*We are leaving…* Shashi said.
Ratna and Arvind nodded ok whereas Arnav gulped down. He became depressed as Khushi would not be with him anymore. The last two days were the happiest days of his life. Though he didn’t talk to her he had chances to be with her. He felt a sudden vacuum in his heart. She was with his family… like a family member. Can’t she be with him forever? His mind wavered.
Khushi waved her hand towards Ratna while going with Shashi on the bike. Arnav’s gaze followed her until her figure got vanished from his sight.
Raizadas traveled through the Raizada's mansion. Ratna became emotional when she entered RM. Arvind consoled her. After getting fresh, Ratna lights the lamp in the pooja room.
Arnav went to his room, thinking about Khushi. He could not come out of it.
After a long time, Ratna cooked for Arvind and Arnav. Father and son relished it.
*Your dexterity has not changed yet, Ratna* Arvind said.
Ratna smiled at him.
*Did you cook in the HOME also?*
*Sometimes…I helped the cooks of the HOME…*
*Chotte…why are you silent?* Arvind asked.
Arnav raised his head and looked at Ratna.
*I would like to talk to you about something very important, Mom* He said with a serious expression.
Ratna spared a glance at Arvind.
*You can tell me anything, Chotte…* Ratna said.
Arnav looked at Arvind contently and then at Ranta.
*I love Khushi…* Arnav said calmly, reading Ratna’s expression.
Ratna was perplexed as she didn’t expect him to say that to her openly.
To be continued…
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