understanding khushi (chapter 36)

Chapter 36

Poorav got a more serious and pulled Poorvi into a chair and sat beside her and with difficulty concreted his thoughts and said “Tumhe kya sahi lagta hai, humara jiji or jijaji ke ghar main rehna. Jiji has found new happiness in her life. Itna khush pehle kabhie nahi dekha humne unko. Ab hum kahini unki privacy main interfere toh nahi kardenge“

Poorvi thought for a while and replied “ You know what wo Arnav Singh Raizada hain, woh sab cheez ki priorities jante hain. Mughe lagta hai he will make sure that we do not disturb his privacy. Poorav hum dono jiji ke liye hamesha unki life ki priority rahe hain, unhone hamesha hame apni priority rakha hai. Par unhone kabhie bhi hum pe yeh zahir nahi hone diye ki who hamse kya chahti hain, unke bhi sapne honge humare liye, unki bhi wishes honge for us which jiji never shared with us. But jijaji unke life patner hain, better half hain or unhone apne saare sapne, desires and expectations unke sath share kiye honge. Jijaji ne itna bada decision liya hai toh jiji ke bare main, he must have thought about jiji’s happiness and desires which she herself in her goodness will never bother to tell us. I trust him for the decisions he takes for jiji. And this confidence in him has come from the happiness that radiates from jiji’s face. You and I both could see how carefree and protected jiji felt with him and her usual restless and worries were all gone. Jijaji has provided her with warmth and assurance that both of us could not. Jijaji has seen her beyond anyone and recognised the gold of heart she possesses. I guess we need to respect jijaji and his decisions.”

Poorav getting answers to his queries replied “You sisters always know exactly what is bothering us me as usual. But I agree we cannot disrespect his decision. For us nothing is and ever shall be as important as jiji and jijaji. Jiji has given her all childhood and soiled her young for us and made us what we are, so it is time that she gets all that she deserves and desires. So I guess we should pack now, don’t you think we have so less time. It is time to head back home. Our home were our jiji, our everything is there.”

Poorvi chirped “true, I cannot believe our separation has ended, our wait has ended, now we can go back to jiji. To our home, our life and cruiser of happiness, to our roots. Come let us pack.”

The remaining drive was covered in silence of peace. Khushi had leaned over to Arnav holding his left hand and resting her head on his shoulders while he drove back home. Arnav could feel her contentment. And secretly he loved the fact that Khushi had started to depend on him more and it always gave him a feeling of security which he had always craved for and at the same time she looked at all his needs and desires in ways no one ever had giving him security that even he had someone on whom he could leave himself to be taken care of.

On reaching home, both of them held hands and moved in to find di and NK munching on leftover pasteries. Khushi wished them good night after pleasant greetings. Arnav motioned her to go and rest while he shall follow her in a while and Khushi left. Arnav enquired about di’s wellness from her then he came to the thing that was wondering in his mind. He told NK and Anjali di all about Khushi’s siblings, their story, Khushi’s struggle, about her being highly educated and explained them why Khushi and Payal hid this all from them. Explaining about their fears etc. He also told them about his decision.

Anjali was moved and NK just said “she is truly a star” Anjali patted his back and appreciated him for his decision and said that she will tell everything to nani and everyone back home and assured him that nani will be proud of Khushi and his decision too.

After a while Arnav tucked di to bed and left to his room. He found Khushi had taken her medicines and was standing facing the large window looking out. He locked his room.  She looked enticing and beautiful in the soft blue night gown she was wearing.  He moved closer to her removing his coat, tie followed by his west coat and hugged Khushi from behind holding her firmly kissing her ears lightly. Khushi after a few minutes turned in his embrace, hiding her face in her chest. He held her. After a while she looked up, still in his embrace and conveyed all her thanks and emotions in a kiss. He was caught in a surprise when she lingered a soft kiss on his lips and just whispered “You never stop surprising me. Why do you understand all my needs and desires so well.” Arnav whispered back “there is no need to thank me but you know absolutely how to thank me and I absolutely love it and I absolutely don’t mind thanks like these.”