Yaadein - Part 33

 

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Chapter 33



City Hospital



Anjali hid her face when Ayush stepped in her room. The Doctors reconfirmed she was stable and could be taken home.

“I didn’t know my daughter is so weak” he complained. “That she thought ending her life was simpler than accepting her mistakes”

“Dad” she sobbed.

“No Anju, let me speak. I have every right to question you why you chose to end your life?”

“I don’t want to live Dad. I have nothing left to hope for. No one amongst you will see me with the same respect and love like you used to before”

“And who is responsible for that?” he snapped. “Start owning your mistakes Anju even if they pain your heart, question your dignity, start owning them. That’s far better than ending your life. You were living in a misconception so far that Khushi broke your alliance with Shyam. She is not responsible, you are. That day when Shanti Jha was home and pointing at you, Khushi had asked you to say the truth. You could have told us. Yes, Shanti Jha would still have denied the alliance but if you trusted Shyam and your love for him, you could have taken this chance. This was far better than lying to each one of us and then hating Khushi for not taking your side. I am not saying Khushi was entirely right. She was just an easy bait for Shanti Jha to brainwash and yes Khushi could have told us what Shanti Jha fed her and then me and Arnav would have handled this in a better way. You both are at fault but you.. you knew everything and yet you kept it hidden from us all these years? Why? What are families for, Anju?” 

Anjali realized each and every word her father explained was right. She grabbed his arm and cried bowing her head.

“Dad, please forgive me. I was scared. To hide one mistake, I kept on pilling it with more. I am sorry. I really am sorry”

Ayush was silent for a long time.


“I hope this time you mean it Anju. I might still forgive you for what you did but don’t expect the same from Arnav and Khushi. I won’t say only your lies and secrets have kept them apart for years. Nope. They had many other insecurities and no faith in their relationship which is why they distanced from each other. But you are one of the reasons and above that you fed such cruel words to Aarav that his mother is a bad woman?”

Anjali bowed her head in shame.

“Arnav heard Aarav mentioning this to Khushi last night and that’s how he got to know what you have been feeding to that 7-year-old boy” Ayush scolded.

Tears continued to pour from her eyes. Yes, she said those things to ensure Aarav never thinks of his mother or wants her back. Anjali was in the impression that Khushi’s absence in Arnav and Aarav’s life was for good but she was mistaken and now she admits it by heart. She has never seen Aarav so happy and comfortable like he was since Khushi returned to Shantivan.


“Anyway, I don’t want to talk more. What’s done is done. Arnav is already repenting for his mistakes and now he is on the path to set things right. I don’t want you to be a hurdle in his life again if you ever wish to see him and Aarav happy. And promise me you will never think of hurting yourself again. This takes no courage Anju and its the most disgraceful thing to do your family who love you so much. You might end up your life but don’t forget by doing so, you are also killing each and everyone from your family. I don’t think after your suicide attempt, me or Arnav will trust you again not to do this but we expect you to understand that this is not enough. If you are guilty, ask for forgiveness. If you are angry, prove your side and if you are ashamed, have patience and gain back the trust of your family. If you feel alone, talk to us. I am your father, if I don’t listen to you who else will? But never ever.. repeat this”

Anjali nodded. She could see how much she had hurt her family by her suicide attempt and her father’s words opened her eyes.

“Where is Chotte?”

She wanted to see Arnav and ask forgiveness, though she had no idea how he will react to that. Will he ever believe in her again?

“He is settling the bills. Let’s go”

Ayush helped Anjali to get down the bed and led her to the car. Arnav was patiently waiting for them. As soon as they were out, he opened the backseat door for his sister, without meeting her eyes. It was clear from his expressions that he didn’t want to talk to her right now. Ayush gestured her not to force him and helped her get in the car to drive back home.


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

Shantivan


“How is Anjali doing now?” Khushi asked as Arnav stepped in her room. She had just fed Aarav and he was in his room doing homework.

“She is fine. Dad is with her”

He looked messed up and mentally exhausted. Since yesterday when he learnt the truth of his sister, he was the same. Lost, lonely and deeply in pain. There was nothing she could do to make him feel better except few kind words to give him strength.

“She will be alright” Khushi assured. “Did you ask her why she did it?”

“I don’t think I can talk to her so soon”

Khushi didn’t force him to change his decision. She knew he would take some time but he will. He had promised to look after his family and not repeat the mistakes from their past. He reached Khushi and held her hands.

“Thank you” he murmured. “For saving Di’s life despite what she has done to you”

“You don’t need to thank me Arnav. I just showed humanity if nothing else”

He stood silent and stared at her unmoved for a long minute and then he realized she had been packing her bags when he entered the room.

“You were packing?”

Khushi swallowed nervously.

“Yes. You might have lost the count not me. I have just 6 more days in this house”

Arnav’s hands fisted at his sides.

“That’s what we need to talk about” he replied.

“Right” she nodded. “I know we have to make Aarav understand first. That he might not see me much in Shantivan again but….”

Before she could continue, he gripped her wrists and pulled her closer. Blood hummed through his veins. She packing her bags and now telling him how they should convince Aarav about her leaving, bothered him.

“Mom”

Aarav’s voice interrupted them. Khushi pulled herself away from Arnav though he showed no urgency in leaving her. Aarav barged in the room.

“I need your help in solving a problem” he mentioned.

“I will come in two minutes” she smiled.

“Okay”

He ran out again.

“What were you saying?” she crossed her arms at front so that he doesn’t get a chance to pull her by her wrists.

“Khushi, I…”

“Khushi Bhabhi”

Hari Prakash’s voice interrupted them again and this time Arnav’s face was worth watching. He could hit someone if that continued.

“Sir has asked to serve the dinner”

“I am coming. Start arranging the table. I will be there in few minutes”

“Okay” he nodded and slipped away.

“So? You were saying..?” she turned to him again but he had given up this time. He knew talking to Khushi over this topic in Shantivan was not a good option.


“Nothing, I will help Aarav solve the problem, you serve dinner” he replied. “Lets talk somewhere.. private”


Ignoring the fluttering of nerves in her belly, she held his gaze.

“Private? What’s more private than a home?” she queried.

Was she testing him because it didn’t work.

“Too many disturbances here. Let’s go for a drive after dinner”

Before Khushi could object, he continued.

“I will put Aarav to sleep before that”

Saying that he was off her room leaving her anxious and clueless about his feelings.


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


When Khushi reached the table, she saw her father-in-law alone.

“Anjali wont eat with us?”

Ayush sighed.

“It’s better she doesn’t for some days. She is already too messed up and I don’t want her to spoil yours and Arnav’s mood too”

“She is family” Khushi added. “I get it that she is messed up but if you both choose her alone, she might never out of her grief. That’s exactly what we should looking avoiding.”

Ayush was once again impressed by her thoughts.

“Tell me one thing daughter-in-law, which part of the world did you learn all this? To be so humble and kind and .. lovable?”

Khushi chuckled.

“Are you flirting father-in-law?”

“By all means, NO” he laughed with her. “It’s nice you see. To be around with the whole family. Even one of us missing and… turning back on us, will make it ugly hereon”

“I know” she agreed. “But I am leaving in 6 days”

“What?” his laugh vanished. “Why?”

“That’s what me and Arnav had agreed upon Uncle. You already know it”

“I do. But..” he paused thinking something. “Did Arnav talk to you?”

“Regarding?”

“This.. timer that’s running between you two? The countdown of 6 days, did he speak about it?”

“We will talk tonight” The response was directly from Arnav Singh Raizada who reached the table. “I am taking her for a drive..” he stared at his wife. “To talk”

Khushi lowered her gaze, showing no reactions and not having much hopes over this idea. She served Anjali’s plate and asked Hari Prakash to serve it in her room. The rest of the dinner was quiet and quick. Ayush promised to get Aarav sleep early and urged Arnav and Khushi to head for the drive without bothering about him.


They got in his car and he drove them out of the Mansion. For almost few minutes, they were both quiet until Khushi saw the Ice Cream parlor at the corner.


“I want Ice cream” she insisted. Arnav gave her a surprised glance but then slowed down the car and halted it outside the store.

Khushi got down first and was so excited about it that she didn’t even bother for Arnav to follow her. She ordered a Strawberry ice cream for herself and a plain vanilla for him.

“How do you know I like Vanilla??” he asked paying for the ice creams.

Khushi herself was surprised. How did she know? This cant be a guess.

“I think.. my memory is coming back”

She relished the first bite of the strawberry ice cream like she hadn’t tasted it for years.

“This is the best I have had in all these years”

“This store has been your favorite” he mentioned. “You always insisted I get you Tub ice creams from here whenever I drove back home from work”

She hears him with interest.

“Ever since you left..” he pauses and corrects himself. “I mean.. Ever since I let you leave; I have never been here again”

She slowed down eating and focused on him.

“The best part is, Aarav likes the ice creams of this place too. Dad got him here once and since then he demands us to get him here all the time”

“He is so… me” Khushi gave him a winning smile.

Arnav had no doubt in that neither any objection. Aarav was turning out to be a Mumma’s boy these days.

“I will get him here often, don’t worry” she added. “You can join us too if you like”


He watched her eat the ice cream, something he missed all these years. All this distance between them could have been averted if had given his heart a chance, if had trusted his wife more than his sister or he had given her the support and care she needed the most when she lost her memories. He had wasted hell lot of years, not anymore. He kept his ice cream cup away and dragged her closer.

“I hate myself” he said bluntly. “For not giving us a chance earlier”


Khushi kept looking at him, totally forgetting her ice cream was melting in the cup.

“If you hadn’t come back in my life, I don’t know how long it would take for me to realize what I was missing. I thought Aarav and I were enough to be called as a family. Dad and Di were always there to support me during my parenting. I was too adamant to confess it to even myself that I wanted my wife not just to nurture our baby, but for me… just for me..”


Khushi’s heart thumped.

“I have missed you every single second of my life and yet I never bothered to realize it until you returned and started staying with us again. I know the timer is ticking but I don’t care anymore” He cupped her face. “I am not ready to see you leave again Khushi. Not this time”


It was crazy to hear him confess all that yet so reassuring. She didn’t want to leave him either.


“I want to extend these 6 days to a lifetime…and from a lifetime to the next 6 births if that exists. I know I have broken every promise that we took when we got married.. the promise to protect you, cherish you and keep you safe and happy. I have broken them badly but now I want to rectify my mistakes”


How? Khushi was thrilled to know what he planned.

“I want to take my marriage vows with you again and this time, I am going to fulfil each one of them, I Promise”

She could hardly breathe. Marry her again? Really?


To be Continued.

NEXT PART 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Standalone Romance Novel of Accidental Marriage Series Book 1 

Billionaire Viren Dewan’s sister was getting married in one month and Event Manager Tarini Kaur bagged that project to plan her wedding. She struggled organizing the wedding as Viren Dewan’s classy extravagant attitude kept hurdling her work. Least did she know they had a history together, a knot which his family easily forgot and hers denied to accept. What would happen when that past resurfaced?


A roller coaster ride of a forgotten accidental marriage, claiming its identity between Innocence versus Power.

SAMPLE CHAPTERS. Read HERE

SNEAK PEEK Of Marriage Jitters. Read HERE

READ ON AMAZON KINDLE

BUY  PDF (Indian Readers ) by Netbanking/eWallet 

BUY PDF by PAYPAL

International Readers/Indian Readers can BUY PDF by CARD HERE

NEW EXCERPT 1


“Why are the lights in my Balcony not functioning?” he asks. 

I recall we have hanged strings of colorful lights in every balcony of the Resort. 

“Not working? But I have personally checked them last night” 

“You think I am lying?” 

“No. I..” I pause. Why am I arguing? “I will send someone to check” 

“I want you” 

I freeze again. What did he just say? 

“I want you to come and check Tarini” he repeats. 

“But” 

“Make it fast” 

He disconnects and I gape at my smartphone. What is wrong with this man? I check the watch. I have other stuff to do. Cannot waste time analyzing Viren Dewan’s intentions. I run towards his room. It’s on the third floor. All of Dewan family’s relatives are on the same floor. The Khanna’s are on the second and the rest of the guests are on the first floor. We have grouped them family wise so that they can easily communicate with their respective families. I stride out of the elevator, reach Room No 313 and ring the doorbell. 

“Come in” 

I push the door open and step inside. He is standing before the mirror in a Maroon Sherwani. Even in a traditional outfit he looked far from tamed. 

“Which lights aren’t working?” I ask straightening myself. I don’t want to look dazed by his persona. 

“Balcony” 

I stride to the balcony and check the lights. They look good. It doesn’t take time to realize the switch is unplugged. I plug it and they turn on. He called me here just to turn on the switch? 

When I turn to ask, he is standing at the Balcony door, watching me. 

“What have you decided?” he asks. 

“About?” I am clueless what he is talking about? 

“Acceptance of my apology Tarini” 

Oh!! Why is he so eager to get my apology? 

“I didn’t get enough time to think about it” I lie. Ever since he has sent that apology note, my mind is constantly analyzing how serious he was to earn my forgiveness. 

He strides towards me. 

“Well, now you have time. You won’t leave this room until I get a reply” 

I am startled. 

“Are you serious?” 

He doesn’t answer but his looks confirm he is more than serious. 

“Viren, its Sangeet today and I have so much to do” 

“I don’t care” 

“You don’t care?” I scoff. “It’s your sister’s Sangeet” 

“Then say I am forgiven; the doors are open for you to leave” 

I frown. He is being a jerk now. 

“It doesn’t look good Viren. I don’t want anyone to see us together and…” I pause. “Let me go” 

I take a step forward but he blocks my way. 

“You won’t leave until I hear it” 

That’s it. I lose my control.