17 Reaction
Part 17 Reaction
Arnav got rooted, seeing many red petite leaves peeping from the branches of the rose plant. He kneeled in front of the plant. his Adam's Apple was moving up and down as he was gulping down hard. He hugged the plant, just like, Khushi did the previous day, and kissed it. Teardrops rolled down from his eyes and scattered falling on the leaves. The word,
"Maa..." slipped from his throat.
He didn't know what was all that. He could not understand what was happening to him. He could not believe the plant was germinated not just a leaf but with uncountable leaves. What magic was that? Was his mother still here? Could she understand everything? Then why didn't she ever do that before? Why through Khushi? Did Khushi truly have some divine power? That was why she saved him? This was what his mother wanted him to know.
Till yesterday, he so wanted to know about Khushi but after this, he was not going to care who Khushi was. According to him, she was a miracle... she was an angel... she was divine... and she was his mother's friend. His mother willingly accepted her friendship. It sounded childish when Khushi had a deal with his mother but now, it made sense.
Composing himself, Arnav stood up. he took the sprayer to water the plant but thinking of something, he kept it down back. He wanted the plant to bloom soon. It won't happen if HE watered the plant but KHUSHI.
In the meanwhile,
Khushi came out of the washroom, taking her morning shower. She smiled at Nani who was gazing at her.
"What happened, Naniji? Why are you looking at me as if I'm an alien?" she smiled.
"Will you leave RM?" It seemed Nani was thinking about it throughout the night.
Khushi got stuck. She came to Nani and sat in front of her.
"I'm sorry, Naniji. To be frank, I don't like to be here. Not just because your family members don't like me. I don't want you guys to get into an argument because of me. Peace of mind is more important than happiness, Naniji. I don't want me to be the reason you lose your peace of mind"
"Do you think my mind is at peace now?"
"I know you are not. Pandit Bhaiya told me. He said a Pooja would solve your problem. I would like to do it for you, Naniji because I would like to do something for you because you are so good. I will leave Delhi only after doing the Pooja"
"You are making me guilty"
"Don't be, Naniji... EVERYTHING WILL HAPPEN AS DESTINED. WE SHOULD ACCEPT IT"
Nani sighed. Didn't know why, she didn't feel Khushi would leave RM because, as Khushi sensed Ratna's presence, she didn't think it would happen.
"Pandit Bhiya said he had given you the Shloka. I have to chant it at the time of the Pooja. Give it to me, Naniji"
Nani nodded ok and gave it to Khushi.
After a while,
Arnav came downstairs to have breakfast. He saw everyone present there, including Akash, except for Khushi.
"Where is Khushi, Nani?" He asked frowning.
"She is in my room"
"Why didn't she come for breakfast?"
"She said she is not hungry," Nani said.
Arnav galloped to Nani's room. people at the dining spared a glance at one another.
Arnav saw Khushi memorizing something from a chit. She looked at him, hearing the French door opening sound. She stood up, seeing Arnav in Nani's room.
"Shall we head downstairs for breakfast?" Arnav asked.
"Oh... I had milk a little heavily, Arnavji... It's enough for me"
Arnav folded his hands and stared at her.
"I... really... had..." she said in a low tone.
"Let's go..." he turned to go, but stopped, hearing,
"No..."
Arnav looked at her lifting his left eyebrow.
"I will have later... I'm not hungry now"
Taking a few long steps, he reached her. Clutching her hand, he began to walk downstairs.
"Arnavji... listen to me"
Arnav didn't listen.
"Arnavji, leave my hand. I will come" Khushi said in a feeble tone when they descended the stairs. She didn't want anyone to see him, dragging her, clutching her hand. But they already saw that. Their eyes were only on them. Khushi walked with Arnav bowing down.
Arnav pulled a chair.
"Sit Khushi"
Khushi sat, looking down, like a doll.
Arnav took a seat next to Nani who was smiling at Khushi.
"You are MY guest... feeding you is our responsibility. understand?" Arnav said.
Khushi nodded ok, looking at the empty plate in front of her.
"Hari Prakash..."
HP looked at Arnav who was serving Anjana.
"Serve to Khushi..."
"Jee"
"Listen..."
"Jee"
"She is my guest... she should be treated well. Understand?"
"Jee"
Everyone knew that ORDER was not only for HP but for everyone. Khushi ate not lifting her head. Arnav stood up finishing breakfast.
"Khushi..."
"Hmmm?" she looked at him.
"Thank you so much"
Not only Khushi but also everyone was confused not knowing the reason for the THANKS.
"Could you do me a favor?"
Khushi nodded ok robotically without even knowing what favor he wanted from her.
"Could you water the rose plant every day?"
Khushi nodded ok.
Arnav looked at Nani.
"Maa's Rose plant germinated, Nani..."
A few loud *WHAAAT?*s echoed in the dining hall... a few with shock... a few with excitement...
"Khushi watered it yesterday..." Arnav smiled at Khushi who looked overwhelmed.
Nani was observing everyone who was looking at Khushi as if she was a ghost. They understood why Arnav respected Khushi a lot. But how did she do it? Did she know any magic? Or, was she a WITCH? There were a lot of thoughts raised in their minds, according to their characters. They could not believe the plant even germinated after eighteen years. There was complete silence in the dining.
Though Nani was disappointed as Arnav broke the egg in front of everyone she believed nothing could affect Khushi because she had a special power in her. so no black magic and bad spirits would work on her. At the same time, she was relieved too because Arnav would not let Khushi leave RM for sure no matter what.
Akash was the one who broke the silence.
"Are you going to AR, Arnav?"
"Yeah... I have to meet the inspector to know whether we can open the office today"
"Shall I come?"
"No... take rest"
"I will come with you Nannav"
"Mmm"
"Call me, after meeting the inspector," Shyam said.
NK nodded ok.
"Nannav, one minute... I will just come"
NK rushed to Arnav's room to see the germinated plant. He stood looking at the plant, and could not believe his own eyes. He rushed downstairs with the same speed. He went to Khushi directly. Khushi who just came washing her hands, moved a step back, seeing him. Clutching her hands, he looked twisting them left to right. Khushi pulled her hands frowning.
"What magic do you have in your hands, Khushi? How did you make it? It's just ammmazing...."
"What are you talking about?" Manorama asked.
"Mom, go and see the plant... it was so so miraculous..." he said excitedly.
Khushi smiled at him awkwardly. Everyone went to Arnav's room to see the plant. Arnav smiled at Khushi who was biting her nail, widening her eyes.
"Bye, Nani... Bye, Khushi" Arnav left RM with NK with satisfaction.
Nani came to Khushi.
"Khushi bitiya, tell me clearly what happened... what did you do?"
"Seeing Arnavji emotional, I talked to rose plant, Naniji"
"Talked? What did you talk about?"
Khushi told her conversation with the rose plant. Nani swallowed hard. What was all this? Did Ratna seek Khushi's friendship? Would Ratna want to communicate Arnav through Khushi something, that she was still there with him? Arnav should have understood that. That was why he became protective of Khushi.
Nani understood one thing... something was surely going to happen after the Pooja.
To be continued...
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