16. OS 19. His Elusive Lover (Part 16)

Part 16

Khushi’s phone rang as they were working.

Buaji.

With a quick glance at Arnavji, she took the phone and sought the privacy of her bedroom.

“Sanka devi, ek khuss khabri he, Nandkisore,” buaji said.

“Kya hua, buaji?” Khushi asked anxiously. She had told her family not to call her. What if Arnavji’s business rivals caught scent of the existence of her family and harassed them?

“The boy’s family liked Payaliya,” buaji said, all smiles.

Khushi beamed. Who could resist her jiji?

“Jiji liked the boy?” Khushi asked.

“Of course. What is there not to like in him? He is a government employee and has no sisters, Nandkisore,” buaji replied.

“They want to hold the ssaadi at the earliest, Nandkisore,” buaji said. “Hum ladki wale hein. So we said, alright.”

Khushi’s face lost colour. From where would they raise the money for the wedding?

“Sasi babua is very happy, Titliyaa. It is a miracle to see a smile on his face after so many months of sorrow, Nandkisore,” buaji continued.

Khushi said nothing to this. What could she say? She just said, “Buaji, please don’t call me. My boss won’t like it. I will call you at night.”

Buaji snorted.

“I am very happy for jiji,” Khushi said. “I will call her at night. I have to go now, buaji.”

“Tanik thehro, toofan mail,” buaji said. “You needn’t be happy just for your jiji. You can be happy for yourself too, Nandkisore.”

“What?” Khushi asked, confused.

“The boy has a younger brother who is unmarried. The family saw your photo and want you to marry him, Nandkisore,” buaji dropped the bomb casually.

Khushi was too shocked to even clutch her heart.

“Hum ne kaha, theek he. Khaate peete log he. And your groom has a shop selling suit material in Lucknow. Nandkisore is great. Sasi babua will be free of both responsibilities with two ssaadis held in one mandap. Nandkisore is great,” buaji said in satisfaction.

“Nahiiiii...” Khushi succeeded in screeching like Kiron Kher.

“Naahi?” buaji asked with a frown. “What do you mean, naahi? Will you refuse the proposal and put your jiji’s rishta in danger, Nandkisore? What kind of ingratitude is this, Sanka devi?”

“Buaji,” Khushi tried to explain. “Humme shaadi nahi karni he. Aap...” How could she leave Arnavji and go away?

“Kaa bak rahi ho, Parmeswari! Ssaadi nahi karogi? Yahan padi rehne ka iraada he kaa? Do you think you can live with us till the end of time? Ladki ka asli ghar uska sasuraal hota he. You have to marry and go away anyway. To ab kyon naahi, Nandkisore?” Buaji was merciless in her need to get both weddings underway.

“Buaji, I will call you later,” Khushi said. “At night, if possible.” There was no way she was marrying the boy picked out for her.

“Call me at night, Nandkisore, to tell me you are ready for ssaadi. Otherwise call your jiji and tell her why her ssaadi is being cancelled,” stated the expert in emotional blackmail before cutting the call.

Khushi sagged and fell on her bed. Her head was spinning. “He Devi Maiyya,” she pleaded. “What is happening here? Raksha karna. Shaadi? That too with a stranger? And if I don’t, jiji’s wedding won’t happen?” She looked down at her phone. Once buaji informed the family that Khushi wasn’t willing to toe the line, her amma and jiji would call to persuade her. It was better to put the phone on silent mode and sit by Arnavji, feeling safe in his silent presence.

                                                          ***

Arnav looked up for the umpteenth time to study Khushi’s pale face as she ignored the phone calls. The phone was on mute, but he could see the phone ringing. And why was Khushi flinching each time the phone rang?

“Kya hua?” he asked finally.

The pen fell from Khushi’s hand. Wide eyes looked into direct, no-nonsense ones.

“My jiji is getting married,” she blurted out.

He waited.

“The groom has a younger brother and his family wants me to marry him,” Khushi spoke so fast that the words ran into each other.

Arnav stared at her as panic of the worst kind wreaked havoc in his heart.

Finally, he managed to ask, “Do you want to marry him?”

“No,” she cried. “I don’t. But if I refuse, jiji’s shaadi will be cancelled.”

Arnav drew a deep breath. Then he said, “Right now, you are working on a very important project for me. Inform your family that you can’t be spared. That will buy you some time. You can figure out the rest later.”

Khushi nodded, grateful for his practical wisdom.

His phone rang. It was the private investigator.

                                                                    ***