21 Arnav's Instinct
Part 21 Arnav's Instinct
Arnav looked at his mother's photo in which his mother was smiling. He had seen his mother's photo numerous times but that day, his mother's smile looked NEW to him. Arnav looked at Khushi who was trying to put off the lamp, dumping a flower on the blaze. He clutched her hand and stopped her from putting it off. She looked at him making a face.
"I'm sorry... I lit the lamp"
"Let it be..."
"Don't know why I can't put it off" She pouted.
"it's ok. You don't have to put it off" Taking the oil he filled the lamp with the oil.
She nodded ok simply and left. Arnav looked at his mother's photo again and walked off RM thinking about what just happened. What was all this? The Rose plant that never germinate, germinated after Khushi watered it. Today, Khushi lit a lamp that could never light by anyone other than him. What was the meaning of those happenstances? Who was Khushi? How could she do things that were impossible for others? Arnav rode the car debating within.
RM
HP came back from the market. He stopped, seeing Khushi. She gestured for him to go to the kitchen. so, he headed to the kitchen. Khushi followed him and didn't show a hurry.
"Khushiji, I bought all the things you asked me to buy"
HP removed them from the bag and kept them on the kitchen slab. Khushi checked them with patience. She smiled with satisfaction as HP bought everything she asked for.
"Thank you so much, Hari Prakashji"
Keeping them in a bag, she kept them in the kitchen cupboard.
"Give them to Naiji when she asks for them"
"Ok, Khushiji"
Khushi left the kitchen and headed to Nani's room. She saw Anjali coming downstairs and others were sitting in the living room, chitchatting. She smiled at her.
"Khushi, I'm not going to go to Singapore but my parents and brother are coming to India to celebrate the anniversary," Anjali said excitedly.
"When did they change the program?" Anjana asked.
"Last night, Maji. They were so delighted about my pregnancy and want to meet me. So, they decided to celebrate the anniversary in India as they don't want to miss me at the time of celebration"
"That's so great Bhabi... it will be fun" Lavanya sounded eager.
"Ask Shyam to book a grand party hall for them..." Anjana said.
Anjali nodded ok.
"Khushi, tomorrow I and Lavanya will go shopping. Will you come with us?" Anjali asked.
Khushi was horrified. Tomorrow, she would be fasting to do the Pooja.
"Actually, tomorrow is No Moon Day. I will be fasting for my late parents, Bhabi" Khushi said.
"Oh..." Anjali thought about it.
"Fasting means?" Came from Anjana.
"I won't eat anything tomorrow... only water"
"For the whole day?" Manorama asked.
"Jee..."
"Keeping fasting is necessary or what?"
Khushi was silent.
"Don't know why people keep fast at this small age" Manorama murmured.
"Lavi, shall we go shopping the day after tomorrow, taking Khushi with us?" Anjali asked.
"Ok, Bhabi... no problem" Lavanya agreed.
"Do you have any problem coming with us?"
Khushi hesitated.
"We will go shopping on Saturday and you are coming with us," Anjali said.
Khushi nodded ok with hesitation and went to Nani's room.
"Why do you want to take her shopping?" Anjana asked.
"Just like that... she stays in RM... just feel to take her with us," Anjali said.
"I think Bhabi wants to check whether she says something about the shopping trip" Lavanya chucked.
"My intention was not that but, I expected her to say something but she said nothing" Anjali smiled.
Raizadas started expecting Khushi to say... correction, predict something...
Khushi came to Nani's room.
"Naniji, Anjali Bhabi wants me to accompany them to shopping"
"Really?"
"but I don't want to go, Nani"
'Why?"
"I'm not habitude of shopping in the crowded area and all"
"They won't go to the crowded area. They shop in expensive shops. So, that won't be crowded"
"Then, I will definitely not go" She bit her nail.
"But why, bitiya?"
"I'm scared to even put my feet in such a place, Naniji"
"Get used to it, bitiya"
"No, Naniji... I don't want to go. Please, help me"
"Ok, we will think about it later"
Khushi looked nervous.
"Did Hari Prakash come from the market?"
"Jee Naniji. He brought the list of items for the Pooja"
"Did you check it?"
"Yes, Naniji... I did. Everything is perfect"
"By the way, why did you ask him to bring a hurricane lamp?"
"Pandit Bhaiya said, I should bring a lamp from the temple. It will go off if I bring it openly. That's why I asked him to bring that type of lamp as it would have the shield of glass surrounding it that protects its flame from the strong wind"
"That's a good idea"
"Haan... It feels bad if the light goes off. that's why"
Nani nodded ok with satisfaction. She believed Khushi would bring good luck to her family by doing the Pooja.
AR
Arnav was leaning on his chair, closing his eyes. The scene of Khushi lighting the lamp and trying to put it off was flashing in his mind repeatedly. The question, 'How did she light the lamp?' made him restless. After she came to RM, all the things related to his mother were happening in a good way. Whatever she did became right. What was this hinting at him? What he had to do about it?
Arnav jerked, feeling a touch on his knuckle. He saw Sheetal standing with a smile.
"What?" Arnav asked lifelessly.
"Today, my second proposal day"
"Means?"
"I proposed to you, on the same day, two years ago"
"So?" Arnav felt annoyance.
"Shall we go for a lunch date?"
Arnav stood up from the chair, pushing it behind him.
"Can't you understand, I'm not interested in you, Sheetal. Why are you torturing me again and again?" he yelled at her like ever before.
Sheetal was taken aback. Her eyes tear up.
"It's you... who is not understanding? It's been two years I'm melting for you... but you are not giving heed to me. What so big ego of you?"
"Shut up, Sheetal. If I show my EGO, you would not have been standing here, arguing with me... understand that" He threw a warning look.
"Oh... have you started talking like a Boss? Are you making me remember I'm an employee here?"
Arnav rolled his eyes. Sheetal left the place weeping.
Their fight was loud enough that brought Aman to Arnav's cabin. Seeing him, he pulled his seat and sat on it.
"What's this ASR?"
"I didn't mean myself a Boss... if she mistook it, it's not my problem"
"Why don't you like her ASR?"
"Just because she loves me, should I also like her?"
"I don't say so. What are you expecting in your partner that she doesn't have in her?"
Arnav gulped down. He himself didn't know that. He felt like his priorities changed.
"Being your friend, I don't want you to repent, ASR. You may repent in your future if you miss her"
"Will you say I won't repent if I marry her?"
Aman rolled his eyes.
"Being my friend you should understand my taste, Aman. You know very well if I had liked Sheetal, I would not have made her wait for more than two years"
Aman nodded yes.
"I don't know why... I didn't feel for a single time that she is my girl. I trust my instinct, Aman. It never fails. It doesn't tell me, Sheetal is mine. A girl should disturb my heart and mind... should not make me feel like, she herself is a disturbance..."
"Did you feel her as a disturbance?"
"Yes, whenever she talks about her feelings for me, I feel irritated"
"Then, there is nothing to talk about her" Aman left.
Arnav again leaned on his seat. What he just told Aman echoed in his mind. 'A girl should disturb my mind and heart' Was not his heart and mind getting disturbed these days by Khushi? Was that only because she made his mother's plant germinate? Or, she was helpless? He didn't get anything but one thing was sure. He didn't get irritated when he thought about Khushi.
RM
Lavanya rushed to open the door as the calling bell rang. She opened the door and got stuck, seeing Maya. She smiled at her brightly whereas Maya's face was stern.
"Hi, Aunty... how are you?"
"Mmm," Maya walked in.
"I have bought something for you from the US" Lavanya said.
Maya stopped and looked at her sternly.
"You should understand one thing. Akash is not interested in you. Understand?"
"But why Aunty? Is it my fault to be his friend's sister?"
"See, feelings differ from person to person. He doesn't want to commit with his friend's sister. It's his perspective"
"Can't you talk to him for me?"
"I will stand for my son, no matter what. I respect his feelings"
"What will you do if I made my brother agree to it?"
"Why are you adamant?"
"I love him, Aunty"
"But, he doesn't..."
Maya nodded no and walked in. Nani smiled at her who was in the living room, having juice with others.
"Namaste, Maaji"
"Namaste. How was your pilgrimage?"
"So satisfying..."
"That's great..."
"I bought these for you. She gave Nani a crystal rosary for pooja and Ganga water"
Nani was delighted.
"Thank you so much, Maya"
Lavanya sat in front of her with a smile. Maya's facial expression changed.
"Maji, I would like to ask you something"
Lavanya sat straight.
"Tell me, Maya"
"I want Akash to marry..." Maya looked at Lavanya who was excited.
Maya's next stance made Lavanya shocked.
"...Khushi?"
But Lavanya was a little relieved as Khushi shouted,
"Noooooo..."
To be continued...
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