Yaadein - Part 10

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Chapter 10


Khushi woke up with a jolt and shock. Even seeing familiar face of her father and Ayush Singh Raizada, her solitude didn’t end. She was in a dilemma whom to trust, what to believe and how to sort her life hereon. For an hour she was disturbed and felt totally out of place. Shashi and Ayush decided to take her back home where she might get comfortable and even called the Neurologist who had treated her after that accident phase 7 years back to check on Khushi once.

“Doctor, please do something. I cannot see my daughter like this” Shashi pleaded to the doctor.

“Mr. Gupta. This matter is complicated. She wouldn’t trust anyone of you anymore. That’s solely because you all have hidden such an important part of life for 7 years. I suggest you speak to her, try to explain her why it was needed and please do not let her stress out. Take things slowly, one at a time. If you need my help again, let me know”

Once the doctor left, Ayush patted Shashi’s shoulder.
“The matter is sensitive Shashi. We should tackle it with care. She is so confused that I am afraid if we don’t tell her everything now, she might go in depression”

Shashi was unsure.

“Do you think she will sustain well after knowing her past?”

““Let us both go and talk to her. After all we are the ones who pushed our kids in trouble. We will do our best. Come on”

Ayush dragged Shashi to Khushi’s bedroom where she was presently resting.

It had been 2 hours since they were back home and Khushi hadnt spoken a word since then. She thought the accident had changed her life but today she realized it had devastated her soul too. She felt like a living dead right now. All she did was stare at the open sky from her window. Her eyes were puffy by crying. Her face was dull. The moment they entered in, Khushi stiffened.

“Please leave me alone”

“No no woman. Not this time” Ayush barged to her and sat before Khushi, looking directly at her pale face. “What have you done to yourself? This is not the girl I met in the café”

“She is no more alive” she snapped.

Shashi felt guilty but he decided not to backout.

“Until you listen to us, we are not leaving this room” Shashi added.

“Listen to you? Why? Why now Dad? You had 7 years to tell me the truth, why now? Only because you cannot see your daughter helpless? Only because you worry, I will go in depression?”

Shashi looked down in guilt.

“Now it’s about your daughter so you want to ensure she doesn’t lose her sanity. Have you realized what have you all done with that 7-year-old kid?”

Tears rolled down her eyes continuously.

“Aarav..” she sobbed. “That boy is waiting for his mother, craving for her love and and each one of you lied to him. Each one of you”

Ayush frowned.

“Sorry Khushi but you cannot blame us entirely. And you will know why we are saying this if you hear us out. If you give us a chance to tell you what the past is”

“Why should I believe you? Why should I trust you both? When you had all the time in the world to tell me this, you didn’t. Why should I trust your story now?”

“Because we have realized our mistake and its high time you recall yours” Ayush scowled.

Mistake? Her mistake?

“I will not hear one word against my dignity Mr. Raizada. I have already heard enough from your son. Do you know what he said? He blamed me for trying to abort my child”

“That’s true” Shashi interrupted.

Khushi froze. No. This can’t be true. How can she be so cruel?

“I don’t believe you” she moved back horrified.

“We have no reason to lie this Khushi. And if you still wish, we can show you the proofs, take you to the doctor whom you contacted to abort the child”

Khushi thought she would collapse on the floor. This can’t be true.

“Ayush and I were close friends from years. We always took each other’s assistance in making healthy business decisions. That’s when we saw a wonderful opportunity – getting our children married to each other. Arnav had just completed his graduation and joined the company while you were still finishing the last year of your graduation. When we talked about your marriage, you both were reluctant but soon Arnav got the point and agreed. It would benefit our reputation in the market. And soon you too showed interest in this alliance. I was skeptical about your real plans because you were very stubborn those days. You hardly cared for people’s sentiments; your pranks were hurtful. I wondered if you would ever change your attitude and this marriage somehow was the only hope to turn you into the woman, I wanted you to become”

Shashi paused feeling hurt and dejected to continue. Ayush narrated further.

“The marriage happened and you stepped in our family as the Raizada bride. Initially Arnav and you kept fighting but in closed room. He never let your fights affect the equilibrium of the family. Then just 3 months later we got the news of your pregnancy. It was such a beautiful day” Ayush smiled. “Finally, we thought this was the changing phase of your lives. The baby would bind you and Arnav together”

Tears welled in Ayush’s eyes.

“But our joy turned into horror when Arnav got you back home one day, fighting about what you had been to do”

Khushi trembled. Why didn’t she recall any of this?

“You didn’t want the baby because you were still completing your graduation” Ayush added. “Then the worst happened. Arnav wanted the child and you wanted freedom from this marriage. So, you both came up with a silly agreement. It mentioned you would give the baby to him and then walk out of his life after the baby is born. Shashi and me tried to put some sense in both of you but you and Arnav had made up your mind. You went to college still and gave your exams after your second trimester. During your last 3 months of pregnancy you were home and Arnav ensured he was always around so that you look after your health. You both still fought a lot and slowly our hopes to see you as a happy family were dying. During those days Anjali’s marriage was fixed. She was engaged and just a week before her marriage you lied to her in laws that she was having an affair”

Ayush was unable to control his tears. He gently wiped them off and continued.

“That alliance broke and once again you gave Arnav some more reasons to hate you. Nothing could bind you both together. You had stopped speaking to each other, even staying in one room seemed impossible but even then, Arnav never failed to check upon you. He was probably doing it only for his child. And then came the D-Day. You were taken to the hospital for delivery. You gave birth to a handsome boy.. to Aarav”

Khushi clutched the curtains, her knuckles turned white with the grip. Aarav was her son… she gave birth to him. The feeling was bliss. How did it turn out bitter then?

“You had to feed Aarav and we all decided to give you some privacy. Me, Shashi and Arnav were downstairs when suddenly we heard a loud cry. By the time we could reach there, you had already slipped down the stairs and hurt your head. And Aarav was in a nurse’s hand”

Khushi’s breathing fastened.

“You were taken to the ICU and when we spoke to the nurse, she told us that when she came there, she saw you holding the baby and probably trying to flee from there. The nurse happened to snatch the baby from your arms but by that time you were collapsing and before she could hold you, you fell down the stairs”

Khushi was shattered to know the past. She cried bitterly. Shashi took her in his embrace.

“You were unconscious for 3 days and when you woke up, you had lost part of your memories. The last thing you recalled was being in college. The marriage and pregnancy memories were wiped off from your head and even if we wanted to tell you, the doctors denied at that moment. The delivery and the accident that happened thereafter had a serious impact on your body and you were advised ample of bed rest” Shashi explained. “Arnav took Aarav home. He was already frustrated that you were trying to flee with the child. He wanted to sue us for not abiding by that contract but Ayush intervened and somehow convinced him not to take any harsh actions.”

“I didn’t want you to suffer more” Ayush stated. “Arnav was not ready to accept you back in his life because he was very sure sooner or later when you recall everything again, you would opt out of his life. He didn’t want to break the little boy’s heart later so he was forced to keep things that way. After you were discharged from the hospital, Shashi took you to Auckland and tried to keep you there.. gave you a new life and ensured you never turn back here. Social media hadn’t flourished those days like it is now. So fortunately, we didn’t have to erase much info from news articles and magazines. Shashi replenished your identity but he was worried if you came to India, you might meet someone who might tell you the past and hence he kept you away from this place”


Khushi’s head spun with so much of information, her eyes swelled and poured with tears while her heart sank. She couldn’t imagine how much she had lost all these years.

“Arnav, Anjali and me raised Aarav. We didn’t let Shashi meet the boy because that would only raise more questions from Aarav who had started recognizing people. We didn’t want him to know Shashi was his grandfather too” Ayush sank on the couch. “But we couldn’t change destiny Khushi. Aarav and you met in Auckland during his school trip. I don’t know what signs God wants us to see but I am afraid if it will do any good to you and Arnav. Arnav’s bitterness and hatred has doubled all these years for you and I don’t think he can ever forget or forgive any of this. But I feel for that little boy.. he has a mother and yet.. he craves for one.. begs for one.. prays for one”

Khushi recalled none of this but she could say they were telling her the truth. Shashi stroked her back and wiped her tears.

“You need to think about this calmly Khushi. You are still bonded by the contract that you signed with Arnav to leave the baby with him and free him from this marriage”

“Please leave me alone for sometime.. please dad..” she pleaded.

Ayush and Shashi rose to their feet and decided to give her time. She had heard a lot and it was hard for her to process everything.

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

Shantivan

That night when Ayush returned home, Anjali and Arnav both knew where their father had been and why. Since Aarav was not around, Anjali decided to ask.

“How is she doing now? Did she… did she recall everything?”

There was tension in Anjali’s voice which Ayush instantly picked up.

“She remembers or not isn’t our concern right now Anju. I hope she doesn’t go in depression. I am worried for that poor soul”

Arnav kept concentrating on the laptop screen, he was just few feet away from them on the couch.

“Poor soul? And her?” Anjali frowned.

“You two should stop seeing her in negative light. She has changed and very soon you will know”

Saying that Ayush left for his room.

“Dad” Aarav’s nurse slowly got him in the living room. The boy needed some support to walk but he was recovering which was a positive sign.

“Hey Champ” Arnav moved his lappy away and took Aarav on his lap.

“Dad.. when can I walk on my own? I want to play with my friends, go out and eat ice creams and play football with you and Daadu”

Arnav smiled and kissed his forehead.

“I can call your friends home and for ice creams, we can drive out any time you want but for football you have to wait for until this leg of yours recover” he gently patted his bandaged leg.

Aarav was elated but he still had some more questions for his father.

“Will you also take me to Khushi’s house? I want to see her” Ayush requested.

Arnav’s jaw tightened. Khushi? Why can’t he just forget her?

“Sure Aarav” Ayush returned and his reply irked Arnav. “I will take you to meet Khushi but right now she is also unwell like you. She needs rest. When she is ready to see you, I promise to take you there”

Aarav’s face lit with joy but Arnav was beyond annoyed.

“Dad” Arnav interjected. “Don’t”

“Take him back in the room” Ayush said turning to the nurse and when they were gone, Ayush replied. “So far you kept Khushi at a distance because you care for your son. I am not asking you to introduce her as Aarav’s mother. But if he is happy around her, there is no harm if they see each other, spend some time. After whatever happened today, I don’t think Khushi will stay in India for long. She will go away and if that’s the case, then let Aarav and her part ways happily. Otherwise you will lose Aarav in the process. Mark my words”

However, cruel his father sounded right now; Arnav knew he was right.

“I want the divorce as soon as possible”

“Give her time to think. She has just got to know what her past was” Ayush snapped.

Arnav groaned in disappointment. Even the slightest delay in legally separating from his wife was costing his patience. He didn’t know how he waited for 7 long years and now couldn’t wait for another 7 days for it to happen. Was her intrusion in his life again breaking his heart? He had every right to be hard on her and not let her meddle again with him and Aarav, but he felt it… he felt that connection with her again when he saw her in his conference room today… and it wasn’t good for any of them. Khushi was that chapter of his life which he would never like to read again.

“A week. That’s all she has or else I will enforce the contract we earlier signed and ..”

“Don’t be so tough on her” Ayush argued. “And 7 days are enough, I think. I will be in touch with them to ensure this happens. But think once again Arnav. A decision like divorce has to be taken wisely”

“Trust me Dad. This will be wisest decision of my life”

Saying that he grabbed his laptop and slipped away. Ayush sighed in disappointment. Wise or foolish, he didn’t know but it was surely going to break many hearts… most importantly Aarav’s.


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

The next 2 days Khushi spent in her room thinking about each and every little detail of her past which her father and Ayush Singh Raizada shared. She believed them because she did recall how arrogant and reckless, she was during her college days. Her father informed about the divorce papers which Arnav wanted her to sign. But this wasn’t enough? Only parting ways with her husband and son was the choice she had? Would she ever be able to stay without letting Aarav know she is his mother?

“Khushi” Shashi watched her lost in thoughts and not eating.

Khushi came out of her stance and met her father’s gaze again.

“Stop thinking of the past” he urged. “It’s time to think of your future now”

She nodded in approval.

“You are right dad. Future.!” She smiled. “Can I have Arnav’s number? I need to talk to him”

Shashi was shocked.

“Talk? What?”

“Number dad” she commanded this time.

“I don’t think he will like to talk to you”

“He will”

The strange determination in her eyes startled Shashi and equally confused him. But without much thought, he shared Arnav Singh Raizada’s number. Khushi typed a message on her mobile.

“I want to meet you regarding the divorce. Convey your best suitable time and venue”
She wanted to add the word ‘Please’ but she didn’t. She ate some more, her eyes never left the sight of her mobile screen. It buzzed in few minutes with Arnav’s reply.

“Sign the damn papers and send it through your lawyer. That’s all I need”

Khushi knew he wouldn’t show any interest in her demands anymore. In that case, he left her with no choice but to take the lead herself. She typed back.

“Then I will see you at your office tomorrow at 10:00. Mark your schedule accordingly”

She knew his fingers would be itching to strangle her for not obeying him but whatever happens, she was not going to back down this time. And as expected, his reply followed.

“No more mess at my workplace. I will see you at Gupta Office by 10:00”

Khushi smiled that he accepted her invitation and she would make the best of it. She silently promised herself and continued eating. Patience is all that she had to practice until she sorts this mess between the two families.


To be Continued.

NEXT PART 

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When the matriarch of the Khurana family of Raj Mahal, Saroj Khurana, decided to get her eldest grandson Sharavan married, destiny played its card and got Preeti Mehra, the businesswoman of US, as his life partner. Where the entire Khurana family was shattered by this match, Raj Mahal glowed with joy welcoming the real bride of Raj Mahal back to its place, to hold its position.

Unravel the mysteries of Raj Mahal in this romantic thriller of reincarnation.
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