Arshi FF: Second Love and  Marriage 2
Chapter  10                 

Arnav came down for water in the night when he saw his father and chachu coming into the house. both looked very exhausted. Avinash looked up and saw Arnav.. Ratna had already informed him about his arrival.. Both son and father stood looking at each other. Avinash was the first one to come out of the trance and left from there without a word.

In the room, Avinash sat down after freshening up with Shashi’s photo. Ratna came and sat beside him. She placed her hand on his shoulder assuring.

 “ How could he blame Shashi ?? Din’t he know what Shashi means to me ?? He is aware of Shashi’s favours on us.. It was Shashi and Madhu jiji who took me and Manohar with them when our parents died. Our chachaji took away all the property and threw us both out of the house….. I was only 14 then. Though, I had many friends, no one came to help me. Then Shashi took me and Manohar with him. Madhu jiji welcomed us with open hearts. They both lost their parents at young age. Madhu jiji was running a  sweet shop. Their house is a multi storied  portion. The only income is from the shop and the house rents….. For six years I lived and Manohar lived with them, but neither Shashi nor Jiju looked us like outsiders. Madhu jiji even paid our School and College fees…. Even though, me, Shashi and Manohar worked for part times but it is not enough to pay colleges fees. But when I turned 20, madhu jiji said one of her clients said we can file a case against my chachaji for our property…. But we din’t have enough money to file a case as it costs a lot. Shashi encouraged me to file case and I filed  a case against my chachaji. And as I thought my chachaji had a lot of money, he started to influence the lawyers. Efficient lawyers always demand high money but a lawyer came to deal my case….. I was surprised first but Shashi convinced me to agree. After few days, we won the case and we got the right ful property of ours. Then I thought to start a business in Lucknow but Shashi persuaded me that Delhi will be good and have lot of opportunities. We  don’t want to leave them but they both finally convinced us.

That is how we reached Delhi, I started up business here. Then we heard that Madhu jiji met with accident. We both went to Lucknow. Since Madhu jiji  needs bed rest for six months Shashi took charge of sweet shop... He can’t able to manage it alone. ..In our that trip, we came to know Shashi mortgaged his house for our lawyer’s house… when I confronted him, he talked as if it is not a big deal.  We insisted them both and make them shift to Delhi.… When I tried to bring back his house he denied straight away… He took promise from me that I will never pay back money for that house. Later he brought back his house when he started his sweet shop here in Delhi, luckily it got more fame and he started another two shops...  We both wanted to be close as always, so we brought land and build this houses. And after marriages too, our bond always grew.. Madhu jiji never got married taking care of us and she moved back to Lucknow after Shashi’s marriage. Everything was perfect until two and half years ago..”

“ Why did he do this ?? I was always proud of him as  a father. He always made my head held high. I thought he was the most understanding child of all. Did we were bad parents ?? We have always respected his wishes. We joined him in the school he wants, college he wished… When he got seat in Harvard, though we are not willing to send him away from us, but not to upset, we agreed... I always wanted him to take forward my construction business, but he denied and said he wanted to start a fashion house. we agreed to that too as his happiness was our priority…. Even after all these, he still thought that his parents won’t let him marry the girl whom he love. Why ?? Why couldn’t he trust us ??  He could have atleast said to us that creating all that drama. Because of  him, an innocent girl is still bearing the consequences and society’s taunts for her failed marriage.” Said Avinash. Ratna placed her head on his shoulder as a  sob escaped from her.

Arnav who was at the door heard everything his father said. His heart pained seeing the suffering of his mother and father. He silently left from there wiping his own tears.

Next morning:

Arnav came down along with Aryan in his arms. Anjali, Nk are present in the hall.

“ Good morning Bhai and Good morning champ” said NK.

“ Good morning” said Arnav.

“  Goo moning” said Aryan too cutely.

“ Bhai. Are you going somewhere ??’asked Anjali.

“ Haan Anju. I have to visit Khurana office. Arjun asked me to take care of a problem there” said Arnav.

“ Oh.. Okay but Aryan is going with you.” Asked Anjali patting Aryan’s back lovingly. He din’t say anything as he don’t like when someone pinch his cheeks.

“ Yes.. There is a kids room for the staff in Khurana office” said Arnav.

“ Oh.. Okay then. Bye” said Anjali.

Aryan waved at them both much to their happiness.

In the evening, Arnav reached the devimayya temple along with Aryan. Anjali called him and asked to come to the temple. He visited the temple many times. So, he directly came here.

When he entered into the temple, he saw Anjali, Nk and Lavanya waiting for him. 

“ Shall we go ??”asked Arnav.

“ Bhai. We have to take some pooja things. Wait until then” said Lavanya and Nk leaving from there. Only he and Anjali was present. 

Arnav got a call from Arjun. He put Aryan down. There was a lot of hustle bustle in the temple. So, he needed a silent place to talk. 

“ Anju. Look Aryan. I will attend this call” said Arnav.

“ Ok. Bhai” said Anjali. 

“ Aryan. Be with bua” said Arnav and left. Anjali looked at Aryan who is looking at the place curiously. He is excited to see people, lots of colors. 

 

Just then Anjali saw a girl fell down on her knees. So, she went there to help the little girl. She made the girl stand up and consoled her not to cry.

“ Anju. Where is Aryan ??’ asked Arnav who came there after finishing the call.

“ bhai. He is here” showed Anjali the place where Aryan was standing sometime before. But he was not there.

“ Bhai. He was here only now” said Anjali panicking. Even Arnav too got afraid.

Nk and Lavanya came there with pooja things. They were too frightened. 

“ I asked you to take care of him Anju. How can you be soo negligent ??’shouted Arnav angrily.

“ Bhai, let’s search” said Nk. Everyone went in different direction to search.

They searched everywhere but Aryan was not there.

“ A little boy is standing in the middle of the road” they heard one of the people talking. They rushed  to outside of the temple. Then they heard Aryan’s cry. When they looked at the scene infront of them, their hearts stopped for a bit.

There Aryan was standing in the middle of other side of the road. He was crying not knowing how to go. That is when they saw a car coming speedily in Aryan’s direction.

“ Aryan” shouted Arnav and tried to go but vehicles on their side are not allowing. The car came soo close to Aryan. Arnav’s breathe stopped. Anjali and Lavanya closed their eyes not able to see.

That is when something happened which no one expected. A woman in pink saree lifted up Aryan and rushed to other side of the road saving him. In the process, both fell down on the ground but lady held Aryan close so that he won’t get hurt.

“ Bhai. Let’s go” said Nk. Anjali and Lavanya saw Aryan safe in someone’s arms and sighed in relief. 

Khushi, on the other hand came to the temple to drop Payal. She is talking over the phone parking her car when she heard a loud cry of a baby. She looked around and saw a little boy standing in the middle of the road. Then she saw a car approaching fast towards him and ran to save the boy. She lifted up the boy and fell down on other side.

Khushi got up with Aryan. He was soo frightened and hugged her tightly crying.

“ shh..beta. don’t cry. See you are safe” said Khushi patting his back lovingly. She felt a  strange sensation when he hugged her.

She brought him out of the hug and looked at him. His eyes attracted her. His eyes are just like him thought Khushi. Aryan too is looking at her with those innocent eyes. He too felt an attraction to her.

“ Don’t cry. Good boys don’t cry” said Khushi wiping off his tears with her fingers gently. She then kissed him on his both cheeks.

“ Where are your mumma and papa ??”asked Khushi. Aryan again hugged her burying his head in her neck. Khushi again patted his back lovingly.

“ Aryan” she heard a voice calling.

Arnav, Nk, Anjali and Lavanya came to other side of the road. They saw Aryan in the woman’s arms who saved him.

“ Aryan” called out Arnav.

Khushi turned back hearing Aryan. There stood Arnav with his siblings. Arnav and Khushi froze for a minute. They din’t expect this meeting. Both stood there looking at each other with wide eyes. Their eyes reflected surprise, shock and finally pain. Arnav observed her. She is having a more matured look on her face. Her eyes doesn't have previous glow and chirpiness. 

Khushi observed him who is looking same as earlier. His eyes held some pain which he don't know why.

“ Paa” Aryan’s voice brought them both out of the trance. Khushi averted her gaze from him quickly.

Aryan threw out his arms towards Arnav who took him from Khushi. Arnav hugged Aryan tightly and kissed him on his forehead.

Khushi looked at others who looked uncomfortable. She faked a smile to them to which they returned.

 Payal came there. She too have witnessed the scene. She doesn’t have any grudges with little boy, so she doesn’t have any problem in her jiji saving him. She knew her jiji would have done the saved any child in that place and the child happened to be Arnav’s.

“ jiji. You are hurt” said Payal.

Other four members looked at her. Khushi’s elbow is bleeding.

“ It’s just a small one Payal. I am ok” said Khushi

“ Ok. Come let’s go back” said Payal.

Khushi nodded and both the sisters left from there without giving any glance the four standing there.