Yaadein - Part 3

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Chapter 3
Shantivan

“She is back? For serious?” Anjali expressed shock when Arnav told her about his meet with Khushi. “When did Aarav meet her?”

Arnav kept stirring the soup in his bowl. His appetite was lost.

“They met during Aarav’s school trip. I didn’t even know she was staying there from past few years otherwise I would have never let Aarav go on this trip”

“Chotte..” he caressed his back.

“Seems like Aarav has started liking her. When he came back home, he didn’t even talk to anyone since then. You should speak to Aarav, Chotte. He must be confused. Firstly, because you never talk about his mother and now you are not letting him meet his new friend Khushi”

His sister was right. He had to speak to his son.

“But what are you going to do about Khushi Gupta?” she queried.
“She has to leave, Di. I wont let her stay here for long” he pushed the plate away and made his way to Aarav’s room. The little boy was painting something but the moment he saw his father in the room, he hide it.

“Hey champ” Arnav strode and sat next to Aarav’s chair. His boy was genius in drawing and painting. He really wondered whom he got this trait from as none of the Raizadas ever had it in them. “What have you painted? Show me”

“No” Aarav snapped.

“It is not good to hide things from your father, Aarav”

“Its not good to fight with friends either, dad”

Arnav had no clue what he was talking about.

“Khushi is my friend and yours too. She told me. Why did you fight with her?”

“She told you that she is my friend?” Arnav gasped.

“Yes”

Arnav shrugged looking away. So, whatever he suspected was true. She didn’t recall anything for now. But her presence was still a threat for him and his family, especially Aarav.

“Aarav” Arnav pulled him closer. “Have I ever asked you not to meet your friends? You can meet them, play with them as long as you wish. But Khushi is not your friend. She is so elder to you”

“So what? I like her to be with her”

“But she won’t be here for long. She will go away. And you will be hurt”

Arnav tried his best to explain his son but seemed like Aarav was beyond understanding anything. He couldn’t apprehend how to let his 7-year-old boy know that Khushi Gupta had to be zoned out from their lives and this was her own decision once.

“If I had my Mom, she would let me meet Khushi” Aarav used the emotional card to get his father agree but it enraged Arnav.

“Mom.. Mom.. Mom. Don’t you get it she is never coming back? All you have for your life is your father and Bua. That’s it. Live with that Aarav”

Tears sprung in the boy’s eyes and he rushed to the bed and hid his face under the pillow.

“Aarav” Arnav reached the bed and tried to touch his back.

“Go away.. I hate you Dad.. I hate you”

Arnav was disheartened. Aarav had never used such rough words ever. Why now? Where was he going wrong in raising his son? Anjali walked in the room hearing Aarav’s cries.

“Aarav… what happened?”

Arnav swallowed the lump formed in his throat and left the room as his sister took over.

*****************

Gupta Mansion

Khushi was in the store room to find an old book she wanted to read. She couldn’t believe her father had dumped some of her stuff here after she was sent to Auckland. Why would her father not want her to look into her own stuff? Khushi was glad that she could convince the new maid of this house and get the keys of this store room where her father didn’t want her to stroll. Was there any secret inside this place?

“Khushi” Shashi stormed in the room shouting. “How did you get in here?”

She jerked.

“dad.. I was just”

“No. Its not done” he gripped her arm and dragged her out of the store room until they were back in the living area.

“Dad what is wrong? I just wanted to fetch a book of mine. That’s why I..”

“You will never go there again. Promise me”

Khushi frowned. Her earlier suspicions had now started turning true. There was something hidden in that room which her father didn’t want her to see.

“What is there in that room?” she asked crossing her arms at front.

“Nothing good enough for you to remember anymore”

“Really Dad? If that’s really so unimportant to me or my life, why are you hiding it from me?”

Shashi was aware how she could twist the whole plot to get words out of his mouth. And he cannot afford to let that happen. So he calmed down.

“Khushi, you know what the doctor said? You need to stop fishing for your past memories. They are gone from your life for good”


Khushi’s eyes turned moist. She didn’t think so. Memories were important. Each and every one of them. Yes, she had suffered from Partial amnesia after a major accident that happened 7 years ago. When she woke up in the hospital, she couldn’t even recollect her name or her father for many days. Only after two weeks of care and medication, memories of her childhood, school and college flushed in her mind and she was glad to get them back. But she was still certain a bigger chunk was missing. That’s exactly what her father had tried to hide from her and sent her to Auckland to begin a new life.


“Dad..” she sighed. “I don’t even know what I am running from?”


Shashi felt guilty hearing those words.

“I have rights to know what I don’t remember and you never seem to agree”

“Because those are bitter memories. Do you recall how reckless and stubborn you were before that accident? And look at you now. You are no longer that silly girl you used to be. You have carved your personality and become someone I always wanted you to be Khushi – Smart, humble and down to earth. This is only because you don’t recall those missing days of your life. It has changed you for good”


Khushi slouched on the couch. Her father was right. She was not this gentle and emotional before. She was a mean and jealous girl who would never take a loss. She fought with people easily and hence had more enemies than friends. And now, she cannot even fight with her own self. She had turned completely the opposite.


“You should think of moving ahead Khushi. Not looking back. There is nothing you have left back that would concern you, had you been the same old girl you were earlier”

She wanted to believe her father and for this moment she did.

*******************

AR Office


“I see you are not concentrating on my words today” Sheetal murmured snapping her fingers to get Arnav’s attention on her.

He was lost since she had started discussing in his cabin, about the project report. His mood was off since he came to office. He didn’t greet anyone. In fact he kept scolding almost everyone he talked to for even a silly thing. She had never seen so hard on his own self or the staff ever. Something was bothering him. So she decided to ask.

Arnav shrugged off her question.

“Just not in a mood. That’s all Sheetal” he replied focusing on his laptop screen.

“I can do something to cheer you up” she bit her lip.

When he raised his head to meet her eyes, she put a smile.

“I mean.. we can go out for dinner tonight? You will get a good break from all the stress you are going through”

“I … I don’t think that’s a good idea. Besides Aarav is..”

“We can take him along” she interrupted.

She knew Aarav was the only one who could connect them together and she desperately wanted it to happen soon. Falling for a business tycoon like him, who was also a single father and so freaking handsome and wealthy was no hard for her. She had worked with him in his office for quite a few years and desired him every day and night. But he never cared to reciprocate her feelings. She did everything to make her way in his personal life even, but there was some reason he was still blocking her out.

“Okay” Arnav replied. “Me and Aarav will pick you up at 07:00?”

“Great” she exclaimed. “I will be ready”

“Now lets discuss work” he pushed the laptop screen towards her and continued talking about the project report.

Arnav Singh Raizada needed a little change, not for himself but to mend things with his son. Last night after Aarav blurted out that he hated him, Arnav couldn’t think anything to make him take those words back. Aarav had confined himself in the walls of his playroom and all he allowed was Anjali there to feed him and look after his other needs. Arnav was dying to let his son forgive him for what happened last night. He had realized his sister Anjali was right. Aarav needed a mother and until then he would keep pestering everyone to get his real mother back. If that was the case, then he was ready to re-marry. All he had to do was find a good woman who could take care of Aarav, just like her own son. That was the only condition he would put forth to the woman he would re-marry.

*****************

Despite Aarav’s reluctance to go out with his father, Sheetal managed to convince him over the phone. Sheetal always played with Aarav whenever she came to Shantivan and brought him loads of sugarfree chocolates. He bonded well with her. And because Sheetal promised to give him a surprise gift tonight if he accompanied his father for Dinner with her, he agreed. The father-son drove to Sheetal’s apartment. Arnav made an attempt to talk to his son but Aarav didn’t reply. He kept looking out of the window all the time. When Sheetal joined them in the car, she gave a big chocolate to Aarav. He thanked her and continued staring out. She realized something major was off between the two.

“This is a good place” Arnav smiled watching families sitting and dining together at the restaurant.

“It is. And it has a variety of food in the menu for kids. Aarav will love it”

Aarav smiled at Sheetal.

“That’s our seat” Sheetal pointed at the table where the reservation was done. They all seated there and enjoyed the meal. Arnav tried to talk to Aarav in between, but his boy completely ignored him again. Sheetal instantly realized the two had a problem and weren’t in talking terms for some reason.

“I want to go to the washroom” Aarav got up.

“I will take you”

“No Thanks” Aarav denied his father. “I am a big boy. I can go myself”

Without more approvals, Aarav walked to the washroom. Arnav was about to follow but Sheetal stopped him.

“Don’t piss him more” she said. “he will be fine. He is a big boy, really”

“He is hardly 7”

“Only by age”

That was true. Aarav was a genius little kid which even Arnav wasn’t in his childhood. He was best in every subject, sports, dance, painting and what not. He had so many friends and all his teachers loved him.

“What’s wrong? Have you both fought?”

“It’s my fault. I messed up with his mood”

“Then give him what he wants. He will be happy”

That’s exactly what Arnav Singh Raizada wouldn’t like doing.

“Aarav wants his mother, Sheetal” he declared.

Sheetal’s body peaked up in desire.

“Then you should listen to him”

Arnav shrugged leaning back.

“You wouldn’t understand the complexity involved. I cannot take chances”

“Just look around you Arnav. Maybe it is not as complex as you think. Bring someone in his life who will love him as her own”

She placed her arm on his but Arnav instantly flinched and withdrew from her touch. Was she hinting at herself? He didn’t know.. Sheetal to him was just his employee and someone he could still hang around for an hour or two for drinks. She was good in her work, pretty too but.. he never imagined her to take place of – HIS WIFE!

“I will go check whats taking him so long” Arnav got up and left to the washroom.

Sheetal sighed in disappointment. She knew Arnav had got a hint but will he accept that unsaid proposal?

*****************

“Oops..” Khushi clutched the little boy before he could stumble. She was so busy on her phone that she didn’t realize a boy coming from the other end and they bumped into each other. “Aarav?” she gasped recognizing him.

“Khushi..”

The moment he saw her face, he hugged her waist.

“What a coincidence” she chuckled. “We meet again”

“I am sorry” he raised his head and pouted.

“Sorry for bumping with me? Well, I am not” she giggled cupping his jaw.

“I am sorry because Dad scolded you” he replied apologetically.

“That.. Huhh” she faked a serious expression.

“Dad is nice. He never misbehaves with my friends.. He..”

“Aarav” she kissed both his cheeks. “Why are you sorry? Whatever your dad told me, I didn’t mind. I know him. He was the same before, he is still the same. But tell me what are you doing here?”

“I came here for Dinner with dad and his friend”

“His friend?”

“Yes. Sheetal” he answered.

Now that spiked her interest. Arnav was on a date with a girl? Along with his son? What was going on?

“Did you happen to find my Mom?”

That question put her in a dilemma. Was she supposed to find her? How would she know who she is?

“Uh… I …”

She suddenly saw Arnav Singh Raizada coming towards them.

“Your dad is coming. I don’t want him to scold you again for talking to me” Khushi ruffled his hair. “Lets catch up again soon. Okay?”

“But how will you meet me?”

“Right.. okay wait”

She quickly picked a tissue from the side and drawing out a lipstick from her purse, wrote her mobile number on it.

“Take this.. Call me when you can.. We will talk. Happy?”

Aarav nodded and pushing the tissue in his pocket, gave her a quick hug.

“Thanks Khushi..”

“Love you sweetheart.. bye”

She quietly hurried from the other side, on time.

“Aarav.. what are you doing here? Come on..” Arnav was about to hold his hand but he shoved off and walked ahead of his father. Arnav sighed and followed his son. These kids are so rebellious these days.

To be Continued.



NEXT PART 

Note: As many of you wanted to know, let me clarify that this fiction (Yaadein) has the same concept/plot which revolved around one of my olf fiction (from India Forums in 2012) named Swept Memories. Since I couldnt complete that fiction, I decided to use the same plot on the readers demand and give it its deserved end. As informed earlier, Yaadein will have only 20 - 30 parts, no more. Though the plot is same, the scenes and twists will be different from that of the previous one. 

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