Chapter 37

Winds of change...thats what Khushi felt as she looked at her mother who was waiting expectantly for her daughter's response to her news, at this point she could not fathom if it would be positive or negative but she hoped for some response instead of the stunned way in which she kept staring at the slim tan line on Garima's ring finger that was left when she had finally rid herself of arun mehra's ring....recently.

She took a deep breath before she pulled her hand away from her mothers and got up to stand looking outside the window...the calm noon breeze was calm and inviting, as the tall coconut trees swayed in its wake...the sunny day seemed to have gotten brighter as khushi's thoughts returned to what she was feeling right now....because though she felt like she was in two minds about her mother's new relationship...somehow it made her happy...strange

“Mumma...” she croaked as Garima got up and came to stand next to Khushi.... “I just want to ask you one thing..” she said as she turned towards her mother with a calm face while her heart ran at an erratic speed “Does he make you happy?” khushi asked Garima who looked flustered before a sudden rush of heat infused her cheeks giving them a rosy tinge that was missing since many many years

Khushi got her answer...she smiled at her mother who was looking anywhere but at her daughter as she contemplated how to answer this question....how does a mother tell her adult daughter that she is in a new relationship with some man....that when its the time to look for a groom for her daughter and think about settling her life, she is instead busy making her own fairytale...how does one do that?

“Babu...i'm sorry...I don't know how this happened...” Garima said as he eyes once again filled up but khushi's sudden giggle made her looked up sharply at her daughter “Mumma...why are you sorry? What are you sorry for?” she asked her as Garima shook her head “This isn't right khushi...I know...when I need to think about your marriage, i'm..” she said as khushi placed her hands on her mothers shoulders and made her sit back on the chair

“Mumma...please leave all that aside...All I want to know is if you are happy? You deserve to have all the love in the world mom...you gave up too much for Mr Mehra...and if life has given you another chance in the form of Shashi Dinkaran...then there is no one happier than me” Khushi said genuinely as her mother's shoulders sagged...as if the biggest weight has been lifted off her

“Oh Khushi...he really does make me happy....he is a wonderful man and an even better father....Its too soon to say it, but I think I care about him a lot...i like him a lot...maybe even love him actually” Garima said with a faint smile, finally accepting the truth that she had kept hidden within her heart...she smiled shyly as khushi raised her chin and spoke in a soft voice “Then if you need my blessings Ms Garima Gupta....you have them” khushi said as she leaned forward and hugged her mother

“But, even though you are sure of your feelings for him...has he said anything from his side?” khushi asked her as Garima shook her head “He has, but not in so many words...I too haven't accepted him fully...My last relationship has left me vary and nervous to form any new ones...but with Shashi I feel like it was meant to be.....we still have a lot of things to tackle...our family, his family....I don't know how Payal and Ritwik will take this news...and your nani? Now i'm really scared” Garima said as Khushi groaned

“Dammit...I'll have to be civil to that brat now” Khushi said as Garima looked on confused “Nothing mumma...nothing to worry your pretty little head about...and don't worry about nani...i'm sure she will support your decision” Khushi said as Garima placed her palm on Khushi's cheek “Baby...you are not just accepting this because you feel you have to right? You are happy about this na?” Garima asked khushi as she nodded

“Yes mumma...I'm really am happy for you...you need someone who will love and cherish you for who you are...I just hope that Shashi will not disappoint” Khushi said as a fear for her mothers soft heart enveloped within her as she made a mental note to check up on Shashi throughly, though he seemed like a genuinely good man.

“He won't khuhsi...I just know....when you love someone, when you accept your feelings for them, you accept them as a whole...I was very naive when Arun came in my life...he promised me the stars and I went with him, but now I know for sure that Shashi is the one for me...we have both been through a lot in life...and this is what makes us understand each other so well..” she said as Khushi's thoughts got stuck on the first line her mother said...'When you love someone'..

“Khushi?” Garimas voice broke khushi's thoughts as she looked at her mother staring at her “What happened?” she asked her as Khushi bit her lip “Mumma...how do you know that you love someone? What makes you so sure about Shashi?” Khushi asked her mother who had a knowing look on her face

“Love is something you can't explain babu...its when you can't seem to live without being with him, without talking to him....without seeing him at least once...its much much beyond the physical need, its an emotional and spiritual need...where their presence brings in a calm like nothing else can...when your any and every decision is taken with their thoughts in your mind...when breathing becomes difficult with the thought of not ever being with them...that for me is love...when there is no you and me...there is only us” Garima said as khushi absorbed her mothers words...her own heart agreeing to each and every word she spoke...her heart accepting that unknown feeling she always tried to ignore

“Again you are lost! What is it Khushi? Is something bothering you?” Garima asked, hopeful that khushi might tell her about her and Arnav...but she knew her daughter, she won't say anything till she is not very sure about it... “No mumma...just asking...in general” khushi said as Garima nodded and let it go...she knew that sooner or later she will tell her...she just hoped that things work out between them...she liked Arnav and knew he wasn't the sort of person to play with Khushi....she just hoped her stubborn daughter realized her feelings soon.

“Mumma...why were you so worried about Monica then? Why would it matter what Monica thinks?” Khushi said coming back to their earlier topic of discussion...she looked on as her mother suddenly stilled and her rosy cheeks lost some color “Khushi...what if she drags Shashi into all this? The reason we kept our relationship a secret was to avoid any unwanted attention to Shashi and his family...you know how the media is...what if she spins another tale out of this” Garima asked as Khushi placed her hands once again on Garima's knee

“She won't mumma...and what tale can she spin? You have been divorced since a really long time...you have the full freedom to date or marry whoever you want....and you met Shashi after dad's death...it has nothing to do with the case...and even if she says anything, I'll make sure that it won't affect Shashi and his family in any way ok? I mean, even Arnav and I have not..” Khushi started saying when Garima's gaze turned sharp at his mention

“Arnav and you?” Garima asked as khushi quickly bit her tongue...she was going to blurt out about arnav and her keeping their relationship secret because of the same reason... “I meant, even Arnav and me...we both have tried to keep our personal lives away from the case...it shouldn't matter as long as it does not have a direct link with the murder case” Khushi said as she covered up her lines

She bent down and kissed her mother on her forehead “Don't worry mumma...everything will be ok...you just be happy...but yes, you need to tell nani about you and Shashi...and Shashi too needs to tell his kids...I will advice you to not get into this deeper till he too accepts his feelings for you...along with the approval of his kids...we don't want him backing off later saying that his kids are not happy about it...promise me you'll insist on him to tell them” she said as Garima nodded and smiled

Khushi got up as she looked at the time on her watch “Shoot! It's one already...I'm late for lunch...I better get going” she said as Garima nodded “You are coming home today right? Or do you have any more tele-conferences?” Garima asked to judge her daughter's features...she smiled inwardly as khushi blushed furiously “Huh? ah...no...I'll be back in the evening..” she said as Garima nodded and smiled as khushi bid her a quick goodbye and left

She greeted Laxamma on the way and raised her eyes at the cups of tea she was bringing in now.... “You two seemed busy talking...so I did not disturb” the old wise woman said as khushi smiled and shook her head....she walked out of her house where Aman was waiting for her in the foyer....she gave him a bright smile that kind of shocked Aman a little bit as he followed her out..

She was indeed very happy for her mother...but there was a small worry about Mr Dinkaran's intentions which would only go away once she spoke to him...they got into Arnav's car that his driver had pulled into the driveway and khushi relaxed into the plush leather seat at the back while Aman sat in the front with the driver

As they drove out of the huge gates, her gaze fell on a couple that was standing outside with huge haversacks on their backs...as the car pulled away she saw their faces and their entwined hands...she smiled as she wondered if God was busy making new couples up there...she rolled her eyes as Payal leaned in and kissed the guy on his cheek...who waved at her before hailing an auto...his face very familiar for some reason.

..............................

“Don't worry so much dadaji...he's just a kid...let him enjoy life” Arnav said into the phone as Lavanya flitted around with one file after the other...she kept opening them to show something to arnav who either nodded or shook his head....he was having a tough time finalizing the new samples and the crazy quotation they were getting from their usual vendors, and on top of that his grandfather had called him complaining about Akash because he had not called even once from his camping trip

He nodded as his grandfather kept on ranting about how Akash is irresponsible and a total 'Lafanga' who hangs out with his other 'Lafange friends' and is bound to ruin his life if he continues like this...Arnav sighed as he pressed his thumb on his forehead while Lavanya tried her best to get him to look at the new files...'Where the hell was Khushi!' he thought as he assured his grandfather that he will talk to Akash and bring him on track

“What did Akash do now?” he felt her presence before he heard her voice making him do an about turn to come face to face with Khushi....he pointed to his phone as he nodded while khushi gave him an amused look and said a quick hello to Lavanya who seemed like she had no idea what to do at that point except flee

“Dadaji, i'll call you later ok...you just relax and leave the lecturing to me” he said before swiftly ending his call, he looked around to find Lavanya make her way slowly out the office before clicking the door closed...'clever girl' Arnav thought as he smiled and walked towards Khushi before pulling her into a much needed hug...his headache had lessened just at the sight of her “I missed you” he said huskily in her hair as she giggled and pulled out of their hug

“Arnav! I have just been gone for 4 hours...how can you miss me?” she asked him as he gave her a lopsided grin and pointed towards his table, now cluttered with the samplings.... “I missed you when I did all the work of short-listing those” he said as Khushi's eyes travelled to the desk..she huffed as she turned away from him and walked towards the sorted files “Off course...that's why you missed me” she said in an annoyed voice as Arnav chuckled

“God! Its soo easy to rile you Miss Gupta” he said in a flirty tone as he came and stood behind her, his arms automatically going to her waist, pulling her pliant body into his but khushi pushed him away before the urge to melt into him got the better of her “Don't you Miss Gupta me...and yes, it is easy to rile me...especially when...” she started saying when she stopped herself in time and went back to seeing the files laid on the table

“Khushi?” Arnav asked in a slightly louder voice as he held her elbow and turned her around to face him “What happened? Everything ok?” he asked her as she tried to change the topic and shrugged her shoulders “I'm just a bit on the edge....because of the psycho who's behind me...and all the other stuff that is happening around me...” she said as Arnav did not buy her reason...he suddenly remembered why she had gone home and wondered if everything was ok with her mother

“Is your mother ok? Why did she call you home?” he asked her as Khushi looked away from him...she wasn't sure if she should tell him about her mother and Shashi as yet...it would be better to keep it a secret till her nani knew.... “Nothing...she was just worried about the case...that's all” she said with a small quick smile as she once again looked away from him

“Khushi....I know you are not telling me something...and its ok...you don't have to tell me anything right now...but remember that whenever you want to, i'm here” he said as she felt her eyes fill up with tears....she was such an emotional wreck now a days...the Khushi Gupta who hardly shred a tear since her adulthood was now a leaking tap... “Hey...hey...baby...what's wrong?” Arnav asked her as he made her sit and poured her a glass of water

She sniffed as she wiped her tears and drank the water gratefully....she kept the glass on the table and stood up to hug arnav again “I'm sorry Arnav...its not that I don't want to tell you...but its not something I can talk about till...well....till mumma herself wants to...” she said as he ran a loving hand over her back “Its ok sweetheart...I understand...if its a family matter, you should not talk about it to anyone else unless it bothers you too much....but Khushi if this has anything to do with your parents...you need to tell Avi..” he said as khushi suddenly looked up to stare at him

“What? What did you say?” she asked him as he looked on confused “Arnav...you are not 'Anyone' to me...you are much much more....I share things with you that I can't even imagine sharing with myself...please don't think you are lesser than family to me...and yes, this might have some effect on the murder case...but I will only reveal it first to you and then to Avinash once my mother has given her ok...its not mine to tell” she said as Arnav felt his heart sing in pleasure...he was elated to know that she feels so strongly for him...now only if they gave words to their feelings

“Ok Khushi...you tell me whenever you can and we will together meet Avinash and talk to him about it...whatever it is, that is...” he said as Khushi giggled “Its not a bad thing Arnav...its actually very good...but I won't pass my verdict till i investigate it further” she said as Arnav groaned at the growing curiosity at her words “Don't tell me all this Khushi...i'll just be too impatient then...and an impatient Arnav is not a good sight...or company” he said as Khushi kissed him quickly on his cheek before gently coming out of their hug

But Arnav was too quick to pull her back into his arms and take her lips into an all consuming passionate kiss which left them both gasping for air as their hands travelled hungrily over every familiar crevice and curve while their mouth refused to part ways... “Stop...we need t..to...stop” Khushi moaned tilting her head to rest it on Arnavs shoulders... “I know...can you stay back today as well?” arnav asked her with puppy dog eyes as she shook her head making him throughly disappointed

“Sorry baby...I have to go home today...but we'll work something out over the weekend ok” she said as he nodded and finally left her warm body “Oh yeah...what were you saying about Akash? Hope all's ok...” she asked him trying to diffuse the heated environment they had just created around them...she saw Arnav roll his eyes and sit himself down in his high backed chair

“The same...he didn't call dadaji even once when he went for his camping trip...and that is the bone of contention...he's actually never done that before...come to think of it, he didn't call me either...just texted me the day he reached” Arnav said as khushi laughed and sat on the chair opposite to him “Looks like he's found more interesting things to do instead of chatting to his family” she said as arnav frowned

“Meaning?” he asked her as she wiggled her eyebrows “Looks like your brother may have found himself a girlfriend...or at least some girl who interests him way more to spend his free time with her” she said as Arnav widened his eyes “You might just be right there...I mean, I remember when I was in college and with my girlfriend, I too did not...” he started saying when he realized what he was about to say

He quickly looked at khushi to see if she was fuming in anger but was pleasantly surprised to find her listening to him with an amused smirk “I'm sorry...I shouldn't have...” he started saying when she waved her hand and smiled warmly at him “Its ok Arnav...those girls were your past...just like I had one...but today, i'm your present” she said with a soft glint in her eyes before she went back to working on the sample as Arnav kept looking at her...his heart not hesitating from saying the words in his head 'and my future'

...........................................

“Its not going to work Monica...don't be stupid” the man said as he lit up a cigarette...he went towards the windows and clsoed the curtains before looking back at the woman sprawled on the huge four poster bed...naked except for the wisp of sheet covering her front.... “Why are you being so secretive all of a sudden? First we met here instead of your apartment...and now...” she said as he drew a long drag and let the smoke engulf his senses

“You are on watch Monica...after that Avinash got involved, you and everyone related to the murder has come under constant scan...God only knows if someone is following you....thanks to that Raizada” he said with a scowl and stubbed his cigarette before taking off his robe and sliding into bed alongside her...he took her mouth in a rough bruising kiss as she wound her arms around his strong back

“Baby...why don't you listen to me! Lets just use the news I told you to our advantage...we can always say that Garima and Shashi were having an affair and they conspired against Arun to kill him so that Shashi could take his place...it will atleast take the heat off me...” she said as the man bit her hard on her neck as she screamed in pain and pleasure

“You still don't get it do you? You did not kill Arun...I did not kill him either...what I want is to destroy his daughter...that's all....it really does not matter who killed him...bottom line is you will never be convicted of it since you have a strong alibi while I an no were near the radar...so who the f**k cares what Garima is doing...” he said as he looked down directly into monica's vary eyes

“Its best to not speak about what you saw unless you want to stretch this murder tale longer...the murderer will be found one day...but before that we need to finish off what we started...so that when the murderer is found...he will be found guilty for both crimes...the murder of father and daughter...while we....we get out scots free!” he said as he laughed maniacally waiting for the next leg of his plan to start.