Part6

Anjali stood there clutching her mobile phone. An unnamed fear clouded in her mind.

At the same time, Arnav entered in. He didn't feel like being in the office. He wanted to be with Anjali. He wanted to make her strong no matter whether Shyam is good or bad. He didn't want her to take any stupid decision as his mother did. He didn't want her to lose anything for the undeserving person. Yes, he was feared to death thinking about Anjali because he knew that Shyam has stupefied her mind completely.

Anjali smiled at him concealing her nervousness. She jerked as her phone rang. The call was from Shaym only. Anjali's face brightened. She attended the call. Before she asked him anything,

"Rani Sahiba... Have you guys fixed Arnav and Akash's marriage?"

"Hainan... but"

"How could you do it without my knowledge? Don't I have any respect? I thought you guys will never let me feel low. You disappointed me."

"How do you know about their marriage?"

There was a silence from Shyam's side.

"Tell me how do you know?"

"Rani Sahiba..."

"We didn't open it up to anyone yet. We are waiting for your arrival to start the preparations. Then who told you about it?"

Shyam sensed what the bloody blunder he had done.

NK and Akash spared a glance whereas Arnav was looking at her firmly.

"What could I say Rani Sahiba... I just saw a dream in which we are standing beside Arnav and Akash who looked like Grooms" he laughed.

"Where are you?" Anjali asked him controlling her tears as she sensed him lying.

"Don't you know where I am?"

"Just answer my question instead of back questioning me"

Shyam surely sensed a difference in her tone.

"I just stepped into Delhi," he said.

"Why didn't you come home"

"I'm coming."

"Then, you could have asked me about the marriages after coming home? You also could have told me about the dream you saw? Why so urgent that you are asking about it on the phone?"

"I was restless Rani Sahiba. I just want to pour my heart into you. Don't you know how much I fond of you?"

Anjali sighed.

"Come home fast"

"Jee...."

Shyam disconnected the call leaving perplexed Anjali. She smiled at her brothers who were looking at her face, reading her expression. She composed herself.

"Chotte, you are here? Did you forget anything?"

"No Di, my head is aching."

"Why Chotte?"

"Nothing Di..."

He went to his room. Anjali knew he is disturbed. Anjali followed him and Arnav knew it. He sat on the bed, looking down.

"What happened Chotte?"

"I remember Ma"

Anjali touched his head painfully.

"Why did she take such decision of killing herself for an undeserving person Di? How didn't she think of US? Are not we important to her? Why didn't she think at least once that we will suffer without her? Don't we good children?"

"Chotte, why are you suddenly thinking all these?"

"Don't know Di. I don't know why I'm feeling something horrible. I feel pain in my heart Di."

"Don't worry Chotte... nothing will happen. Devi Maiya will be with us."

"I don't know whether Devi Maiya will be with me or not. I just want you to be with me Di. You are my world... you are my strength. I will conquer anything if you are with me"

"I will be with you Chotte..."

"Promise?"

"I promise. I will be with you and Khushiji... forever"

She hugged him and Arnav smiled on her shoulder.

"Likewise, I will also be with you forever. I want you to be strong Di. I want you to be an example to everyone."

Anjali looked at him perplexed who was already confused. Does he know something about Shyam? Anjali thought.

"What do you think about Ma? Do you think her decision is right?"

Anjali nodded NO gulping.

"I would be proud of her if she had faced the situation boldly."

"It's because she loved Dad very much, Chotte"

"But when she got to know that Dad is not worthy of her LOVE, why did she leave her life for him? Even I want Khushi to be strong in this matter Di. I hate such a woman who wastes their precious life. Because there is a reason for every life on the earth"

Anjali smiled at him because it was her stance.

"You are right Chotte; every life on the earth has a reason for their lives"

"Do you remember Di? We went to an orphanage once."

Anjali nodded yes.

"I think we too start a HOME for helpless. I want you to take over the responsibility of it"

Anjali's face brightened.

"Is it Chotte?"

"Haan Di. I don't think, no one could do the job better than you"

"I feel proud to do that Chotte. When will we start the work?" she asked curiously.

"It depends on you Di. You can start it anytime. You can get the funds from AR. Aman will help you."

"Then let me start... But what about your marriage preparations?"

"Nani, Mama and Mami will take care of it"

"Ok then..."

She went out happily. She felt fluffiness in her heart. A few minutes ago, she was nervous about something as if she had no one as her own. But now, she is going to be the reason for many people's happiness. She felt blessed. She almost forgot about Shyam's issue.

Being a good brother Arnav had done his part very calculative. He knew his Di. Anjali can only be stopped by such responsibilities. She must be engaged. Then she won't get time to think about unwanted things. He sighed.

Arnav wanted to talk to Khushi. She will make him relaxed with her sweet nothings. He believed. So, he dialled.

Khushi was stuffing a full jalebi into her mouth which Shyam brought from Lucknow. She looked at the phone and saw Arnav's number. It seems the phone will stop ringing if she didn't attend the call until she gulps the jalebi. So, she attended the call while chewing the jalebi.

"Hello," Arnav said but he didn't get a reply.

"Hello, Khushi..."

He heard only the "MMMMM" sound.

"Khushi, are you alright? Talk to me damn it" she yelled.

"Wait, Arnavji"

Arnav frowned hearing her tone. Gulping the jalebi she talked.

"Tell me Arnavji..."

"What are you doing?" he asked confusingly.

"Eating jalebi. My mouth was full of jalebi that's why I couldn't answer your call right away"

Arnav rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Have you finished the jalebis?"

"No... I stored something for tomorrow. Because it's very hard to get Lucknow's jalebi" she said whispering.

Arnav laughed.

"Do any relatives come from Lucknow?"

"No no... Shyamji brought it from Lucknow. Didn't I say about the paying guest?"

The name Shyamji itself made his blood boil and something kicked in his mind.

"What is he doing?"

"He is a lawyer."

"Lawyer?" he was shocked.

"Yes..."

"Where is he staying?"

"Arrey, did you call me to talk about Shyamji?"

"I just want to talk to you. That's all"

"Don't you have work at the office?"

"Yeah... I do. I have to go to the conference" he lied.

"Ok..."

"I will call you later"

Arnav disconnected the call as his mind got stuck into something. His mind started connecting dots.

Khushi said NO to marrying someone and his name is also Shyam. Shyam was never at home whenever Khushi came to RM to teach Lavanya. Khushi's father behaved wired when he saw Anjali. That means, does he know about something? What the hell is this?

He closed his eyes and remembered, Payal told Buaji about calling Shyam when he went to drop Khushi the other day. At that time also Shyam was not at RM but in Lucknow. Is it possible? The person who tried to marry Khushi is Shyam?

Is he playing with the most important women of his life? If it is true, Shyam will rot in hell for sure. Arnav gritted his teeth wrathfully.

To be continued...

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