Opposite Poles..103

Part 103

Khushi kept gaping at the bold snaps of Lavanya.  She shuddered with the thought “What will happen, if Nani ji sees these photos?” 

“These are very beautiful, Lavanya ji.... you are very beautiful!” she complemented. 

“I know!” Lavanya replied smugly.  “You know, Khushi? I haven’t showed it to anyone yet!” she said smiling.

“And Please keep it like that.. Don’t show it to anyone..!” Khushi prayed in her mind.

“I know, Chamakili, Nani wouldn’t approve these .. but i think i can show them to di!  I am dying to show them to her! And of course ASR!” Lavanya said dreamily and Khushi’s heart ached.  She looked away.  Lavanya gazed at the photos dreamily!  

“How i wished ASR was there with me!” she said closing her eyes.  Khushi gaped at her.  “How much she loves him... ! and he?” she had no clue.

“He too loves her.. Otherwise she wouldn’t have been here! He went against everyone in the family for her!” she thought reasonably.  She remembered her dream where he was carrying his bride...

“So it was Lavanya ji, not ...!” she suddenly winced getting up jerkily.  

“Umm Lavanya ji, I should be going now!” she said, picking up her bag.

“Chamakili, wait!” Lavanya pulled her hand.  She stopped.

“From tomorrow, you will come here full time..!” ordered Lavanya and Khushi turned.  She shook her head and said..

“That is not feasible, Lavanya ji.. and you don’t need me now!” Lavanya gaped at her.  She thought for a while.

“Yeah i know... but then i will stop going to the office and then you can stay here full time with me!” Lavanya found out the solution.

“That is not fair, Lavanya ji...!” Khushi shook her head again.  Lavanya again racked her brain for another solution.

“Ok. Done..! I will ask ASR to reinstate you.. Give you job in the office .. So you will be with me again..!” Lavanya was not ready to understand the situation.

“I will ask Di to tell ASR! He will never say no to her..! Even Nani can put a word for you!” Lavanya held Khushi’s hand tightly.

“So, Khushi Kumari Gupta! This is your game plan! You want a back door entry into my office again,  through my family..! Good move, Ms Gupta... but you don’t know me yet!”  ASR thought clenching his fists.  “You will never get what you want, Khushi!” he turned to go back to his room.

“No Lavanya ji... I already am working..!” Khushi said and ASR stopped dead.

“She is working! Where? So soon? When her father was hospitalized, was she moving around in search of a job?” his thoughts wandered.  He came back to Lavanya’s room.

“Lavanya ji, i am working on alternatives.. something or the other will click, i am sure!” Khushi continued and Lavanya gaped at her.

“But Chamakili, this is easier.. i am sure ASR will not say No!” Lavanya was unable to understand Khushi’s stand point.  Khushi shook her head.

“That is not fair, isn’t it, Lavanya ji? I was there only as an arrangement.  The moment I was cleared of the charges, I am out of the office..!” she said weakly with lump forming in her throat.  She swallowed hard and continued.

“I cannot go on taking favours from you all.  You already have done so much for me! I am indebted to you all... but!” she said emotionally.  Lavanya hugged her and said

“Forget it chamakili... listen to me! I will tell ASR..He will..!”

“No Lavanya ji.. I won’t enter that office again!” Khushi said resolutely and ASR clenched his fists in anger outside Lavanya’s room.

“Itana Ghamand? You insolent git! I will humble your pride in no time, Khushi Kumari Gupta..! I will tear you into pieces..!” Arnav gritted his teeth in anger. He showed up at the door and Khushi stopped.

“Lavanya..!” he called out.

“Ye.. Yes ASR!” Lavanya got up from the bed with fanned out photographs in her hand.  ASR looked at her.

“ASR! Look at these!” Lavanya held out her photographs and Khushi turned her face.  Lavanya had wrapped her hand around his waist.  He glanced at Khushi. 

“Aren’t they pretty?” she asked indulgently.

“They are beautiful!” ASR said putting his hand around her shoulder. Khushi fidgeted nervously.  She turned her back on them and said

“Umm Lavanya ji, I should be going!” she started walking towards the door without even glancing at the couple.

“Humm!” Lavanya approved resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.  Khushi came out of the room and started descending.  She felt heavy leads in her legs, slowing her descend considerably.

“Sambhal Jaa Khushi..! Collect yourself Khushi...!” Her descend became impossible.  She sat on the steps trying to collect herself.

“What happened? Don’t you want to go? Waiting for someone to call you back?” he asked scornfully from the top rung.  She stood on her feet struggling and looked up.  Tears in her eyes twinkled and he glided down.

“Khushi..!” he was husky with his voice cracking.  She turned her back and walked towards the entrance.

“Khushi bitiya..!” Nani called and Khushi stopped.

“I have to go Nani ji!” she quivered and without looking back started walking towards the door.

“Samaz  main  nahi  aataa? Can’t you hear? Nani is calling you!” he pulled her back holding her shoulder and turned her to face him.

“Haan?” She looked up.  “Khushi bitiya.. come here!” Nani called her.  He left her shoulder.

“Ji, Naniji..!” Khushi went to the dining area.

“Have lunch with us and go!” Nani ordered.

“No Nani ji, Jiji must be waiting for me!” Khushi said glancing at him.  He was standing there folding his arms watching her.

“Its an order!” Nani said sternly  and Khushi nodded reluctantly sitting on the chair.  Arnav came and sat opposite her.  Ram Prakash laid the table and Mami appeared with Anjali.

“Lavanya ji..?” Khushi got up to call Lavanya but before she could move, Lavanya appeared and sat next to ASR. 

“Ram Prakash.. juice and salad for me!” she ordered and Mami repeated her order to have the same.

“I will serve!” Khushi got up feeling embarrassed to sit with the family. 

“No! Sit here !” Nani held her hand and Khushi had no option.

“Aray, Damaad Ji Kahan  Gayab hain? Hello hi bye bye!” Mami exclaimed and Anjali felt embarrassed.  Khushi looked around. 

“Where is he? I have never met him!” she said looking at the empty seat next to Anjali.

“Umm he is out on some work.  Will be back soon.. and I will introduce you once he comes back!”  Anjali said smiling.

“Where has he gone?” asked Arnav.  “Must be Chandighar! That’s what he was telling!” said Anjali sulking.  He never used to tell her where he was going.  

“Hello hi bye bye! Hamain  bye bye kar kay,   kahi  aur  toh  nahi  hello hi kar  rahain hain Daamadji? Is he saying hello hi somewhere else?” Mami blurted and Anjali looked away with fallen face.

“Stop it Manorama!” Nani said sternly.

“No! I mean, now a days he is more in Chandighar than in this house! Hello hi bye bye! Anjali Bitiya, ask him to get a house there...!” said Mami justifying her remark.  Nani looked away in frustration.

“Khushi bitiya, tell me, how is your babuji?” asked Nani wanted badly to change the subject.

“He is alright now.  Physiotherapy has started. S..Sorry Nani ji, i could help you in Navaratri!” Khushi said looking down.

“ Its ok, bitiya.. I can understand! But I must say, Khushi... you are a brave girl.  God Bless you!” Nani said genuinely.

“Circumstances teach you..!” Khushi blurted looking away.   Arnav looked up at her.  She swallowed hard to compose herself.

“Yeah! You are right, Khushi bitiya! I am sure, you will pull through!” Nani said holding her hand. 

“Yeah! And we all are with you, Khushi!” Anjali said smiling at Khushi.

“I know! And thank you for everything..!” She said with gratitude.

“If there is anything i can do, please don’t hesitate!” Nani said and Khushi glanced at Arnav for his reaction.

“Thank you Nani ji!” Khushi got up to wash her hands.  She turned wiping her face with her dupatta and saw him wiping his hands with napkin. 

“Khushi bitiya... don’t go! I want to talk to you!” Nani said seriously and Khushi gaped confused.

“Come with me!” Nani walked towards her room and Khushi followed.

******   ******   ********

She came out and he grabbed her.. “What did you ask? Money?” he asked disdainfully.

“No! Blessings!” she said struggling to free herself.

“Oh yeah? Blessings fill the belly, right? “ he asked with gritted teeth.

“No! They give  strength to endure!” she retorted.

“Oh! You think you can endure with empty stomach... it needs money! So tell me how much did you ask?” he spat back.

“Stop it! I didn’t ask anything.. ask Naniji!” she looked up with pain.  He had no intention to leave her.  The interrogation was not over yet.  

“Tell me Khushi Kumari Gupta! What is your next plan? Who is your next target?” he asked her with a crushing grip.

“I don’t understand what you are saying.. huh.. huh  Leave me!” she struggled.  He glared at her, pushing her away from him.

“Chamakili? What are you doing?” Lavanya had appeared.  Khushi looked at her with a fake smile and said.  “Nothing...! I should be going now!”

“I will drop you!” he said taking a step ahead.

“No! I have a vehicle..!” she said going back.

“Vehicle? Which one? A car?” Lavanya asked surprised.  Khushi smiled

“No! Lavanya ji.. happy ji’s scooter.  He lent me his scooter!” she said and the next moment she was out through the door. 

ASR stood there clenching his fists.  He had not had enough of her...!”