Arhi FF - Married To Satisfy Her Last Wish - Chapter 25

Chapter 24

xx

Chapter 25

(i made this banner.. )

 

Two weeks passed since Shashi died, and Gupta House had been silent since then.. Gone were the days when Khushi would come home with a rush and the house would feel lively again..

A few close family members and some visitors came and gave their condolence for Shashi’s death.. The after death rituals were also winded up in these two weeks..

***

At this side, Khushi felt miserable for she could do nothing and her father died of cancer.. While the other side, ASR was living each day feeling helpless of seeing his elder sister dying in front of his eyes.. He could still not believe that his mother like sister, Anjali, was counting her last days.. He could do nothing with all this money he had today, and that was not even the worse thing.. The worst part was that his Di was not even sad or scared of death.. She was smiling and spending these days in rest, and ASR could not understand her patience, he had none..

He had made every possible effort from his side and had discussed Anjali’s Case with different doctors, but all gave the same verdict.. Still, ASR dint loose hope and was leaving no stone unturned to keep looking for an option which could save his Di..

***

A month and a half was due for Anjali’s delivery.. She was doing exceptionally good, not great though.. She wont admit if she was in pain, as she dint want to get hospitalized and pass her remaining days in Hospital being a patient under constant observation.. She now wished to spend this time with the Only Family left in her world, her Brother, her Chote, Arnav..

***

Raizada Mansion..

It was a normal afternoon like any other, and ASR was with his sister in her room.. He had always been a man of few words.. But lately, these few words too hardly left his mouth.. He could not even think straight..

He was cutting an apple for His Di, who was highly pregnant by now.. Anjali had tried to reopen His (Arnav’s) Marriage Topic a few times within the last 2 weeks, but ASR managed to end the discussion without any result.. She knew it was useless talking to her brother, and had thought to talk to Khushi and Family, but she knew she had to wait for the same as the Gupta’s were still trying to overcome from their own loss..

Anjali was done eating the last slice of apple, and ASR stood up to leave, when Anjali stopped him..

Anjali-Chote.. U still upset with me?

ASR looked back at his sister once, and moved out not replying anything.. Anjali closed her eyes and then looked at her husband’s photo frame that was in her lap, and sighed.. She caressed it and hugged it close to her..

***

ASR’s Room..

After a few minutes, Anjali entered Arnav’s Room, to find him working on his laptop.. Anjali went in, and sat besides him on the Bed.. Arnav still avoided his sister making an angry face..

Anjali-Chote.. Look at me..

ASR closed his laptop slowly and turned to face Anjali as she cupped his face..

Anjali-Till when will u be angry with me? Hmmm?

Arnav could not hold on any longer and started crying with his face now in Anjali’s lap.. Anjali too could not control her emotions and closed her eyes taking a deep breathe.. Her eyes too got wet hearing Arnav’s desperate pleas..

Arnav (cries)-Di plz.. U, u cant leave me like this all alone, for ever.. *sobs* What will I do without u? U know all I am left with, is u..

She caressed Arnav’s hairs and looked down..

Anjali-It’s okay chote.. U know I’ll still be around..

She said keeping a stone over her heart.. Her chest was getting heavy and she bit her lower lip feeling pain in her heart..

Arnav parted and looked up.. Anjali smiled a little in between her tears and nodded a NO, asking Arnav not to cry.. She wiped his face and Arnav looked down..

Anjali-Its okay chote.. I know u don’t like my decision but u have to understand.. U have to get more strong from now only.. After all, u have to look after my kid after me, wont u?

Arnav-No Di.. U, u cant leave me Di.. I am still trying and I - -

Anjali (cuts in)-Its useless Arnav.. Plz, accept the fact that I wont be around for long now.. It’s u who will have to raise my child..

She pressed his hands, but he looked away..

Anjali-Chote, you’ll have to be its parent, wont u?

ASR-I cant ever do that Di, why don’t u understand me? Why did u not tell me about these complications before, Di..?

He got up feeling horrible and Anjali just looked down at her baby bump and sighed..

Anjali-I’ve already told u what I choose.. I know it wont be any easy for u but u have accept it.. All I am asking u is to take my baby’s responsibility after me.. And, I know u cant do this alone.. That’s why I am asking u to marry Her, chote.. She will be the right one for u, to help u and support u in eveyway after me.. Is that too much what I’m asking from u?

Arnav closed his eyes and Anjali stood up and went behind him.. She pressed his shoulders and completed her remaining sentence..

Anjali-It’s not just about U Arnav, but this child too.. I wont ask u for anything after this, I promise.. Can’t u Marry Her To Satisfy My Last Wish?

Her words ripped his chest and he turned to face Anjali with a Lump in his throat..

ASR-Di..!!

He was stunned and took a while to reply back..

ASR-Okay..

Before Anjali could show her excitement, ASR cut in this time..

ASR-But Di, u think anyone but that Khushi Gupta will be able to understand either me, or ur baby’s needs?? U really think she is the right one?

Anjali smiled holding Arnav’s hand now and looked down..

Anjali-Have faith in me.. I would think just good for u and my baby.. *looks up* Say YES chote.. For my sake..

Anjali waited and Arnav looked up to speak..

ASR-Just for u Di, I agree..

Anjali gasped hearing that, but in a positive way..

ASR-But will she?

He asked trying to gulp his tears and anger.. Anjali smiled wide putting her hand on his head and her eyes twinkled with happy tears..

Anjali-U leave that on me.. Just take me there and I will do the rest..

She hugged her brother and expressed her happiness..

Anjali-I am really happy Arnav, and very much relieved too..

Arnav closed his burning eyes and let out a sigh..

***

Same Day.. Evening..

Gupta House.. Drawing Room..

Garima, with Buaji was chopping vegetables sitting in the Drawing Room.. There was silence until the Door was knocked and both these ladies looked out to see a very much pregnant Anjali standing there, with ASR besides her..

Garima stood up and went towards them, followed by Buaji..

Garima-Arey! Aap log?! (U people?!) Um.. Plz come in..

She smiled and let them in, and Buaji too asked them to come in.. Garima and Buaji exchanged a look, and Buaji went inside to get water not before taking the vegetables inside with her, which were on the table in the drawing room until now..

Anjali looked at Arnav who had been holding his Di’s shoulder.. Anjali smiled at Arnav and looked ahead keeping her hand on His.. They both came in, and sat on the Sofa besides each other..

Garima-How have u been? Is everything, fine?

Garima asked Anjali who had her hands on her tummy, and nodded a yes..

Anjali-How have u been aunty?

Garima just smiled and looked at her Late Husband’s Photo Frame which was kept besides their TV set in the same room.. It had a thread of flowers on it..

Anjali followed Garima’s eyes and stood up to go and sit besides her.. ASR just kept mum and saw his Di who settled herself now besides Garima..

Anjali-We understand ur pain aunty.. And am sorry I could not come earlier..

Said Anjali holding Garima’s hands in hers..

Garima took a long breathe in and looked up keeping her hand on hers now..

Garima-He was a Good Man Anjali.. And we all are learning to live without him now..

Garima wiped her tears and just then Buaji came with two glasses of water and served Anjali and Arnav each.. Buaji sat and Anjali asked looking around..

Anjali-Khushi kaha hai?? (Where is Khushi?)

Buaji-She is in the kitchen.. Cooking..

Anjali smiled and gulped water and kept the glass on the table in front.. ASR too kept his glass there, inside the glass tray and looked up at his Di who started to chat something casual before coming to the main point again..

ASR kept looking down..

After some light talks, Anjali thinned her lips and looked up..

Anjali-Um.. I wanted to talk about something..

Anjali looked at her brother..

Anjali-Chote, u keep this glass tray inside till I talk..

Buaji stood up immediately..

Buaji-Arey no no.. I’ll do it.. Why are u taking trouble?

Anjali-Its okay.. He’ll do it.. U um, plz sit.. I want to talk to both of u.. *looks at Arnav* Chote.. Go..

ASR nodded and got up taking the glass tray inside in the kitchen and Anjali looked at the two confused faces who were staring her..

Anajli-I.. Buaji plz sit na..

Buaji who was standing till now, sat.. Anjali thinned her lips and looked at Shashi’s Photo, and then at Garima and Buaji..

Anjali-I know it’s very soon that I am opening this topic again, but I still wish to marry My Chote with ur Khushi..

Garima and Buaji looked at each other..

Anjali-Um.. I don’t know what went wrong back then, that Khushiji denied at that time.. But, if u both don’t have any objection, and if Khushiji also willingly agrees for this proposal today, I would like to get these two engaged this week..

Garima looked down and Anjali waited for some reply from either of the two ladies..

***

Gupta House.. Kitchen..

ASR stopped at the entrance of the kitchen with that Glass Tray still in his hands, as his eyes fell on her, Khushi..

He was seeing her after long, and she was still the same, just a little more pale then before, thought he.. Her Green Chudidaar’s dupatta hanging on her right shoulder only, and tied sideways on her waist.. Her hair clipped up, and her forehead was bit sweaty due to the heat in the Kitchen.. She had been holding a long ladle and was stirring something inside that container which was kept on the stove.. The smell defined it to be Dal..

Khushi felt someone staring her from behind and felt different.. She turned to see who was behind..

The ladle from her hand slipped inside the Dal’s container as she gasped taking an unsteady step behind..

Khushi-Ar - - Arnavji?! Aap?

She asked feeling heavy at breath and light on heart.. His presence after long made her feel better, good better..

ASR came forward and put the Glass Tray on the platform wherever he found some empty space.. Khushi looked at the place where he kept the tray and looked again at him..

There was silence and Khushi broke the same..

Khushi-So u were the Guest who were sitting out? Has Anjaliji came too?

ASR nodded in affirmative.. Khushi opened the knot of her dupatta which was tied sideways, and adjusted it properly on her neck.. She looked in up in his eyes..

Khushi-How is she? And how are u?

ASR-Same as u.. Living..

Khushi looked down having nothing to say..

ASR looked at her and looked sideways..

ASR-Tumhari daal gal gayi Khushi..

***

Gupta House.. Drawing Room..

Buaji-Garima..

Garima looked at Buaji and sighed.. She nodded understanding what Buaji wanted to convey.. She looked at an anxious Anjali..

Garima-He (Shashi) wanted Khushi to get married before his eyes.. *looks down* He, I and Jiji (Madhumati Buaji), we all had also accepted Arnav bitwa as Our Damaad.. *looks up at Anjali* We also don’t know what went wrong Anjali Bitiya.. I guess Khushi was not mentally prepared.. What else can it be?

Anjali smiled..

Anjali-So, should I consider a YES from ur side?

Garima smiled back and happy tears overflowed from her eyes..

Garima-Yes..

Anjali pressed her hands on Garima’s.. But, suddenly her excitement calmed..

Anjali-But um.. Khushiji?

Buaji-Don’t worry on that.. *gulps* We’ll talk to her..

***

Gupta House.. Kitchen..

Khushi dint understand Arnav, and saw him turning OFF the stove on which the Dal had been boiling.. He looked in front and saw her looking down and here and there.. Wasting no time, he closed his eyes and let it out..

ASR-Marry Me Khushi.. No Contract, No Conditions.. Plz..

She was shocked was an understatement.. She never expected to see Arnav today morning when she woke up, and now hearing such an Open Invitation cum Request which he himself put forward for her to marry him, that too the way she preferred,  seemed to be such a Dream!

Khushi-Arnavji?

She whispered in a shiver, in a low, unsure tone.. He looked at her in the eye who had been staring him blankly.. He gulped and raised his head..

ASR (firmly)-U heard me right..

She was flabbergasted.. Her heart was racing like never before.. Her throat chocked and her mind went numb.. She dint find herself more afraid ever, before today.. Well, that’s what she felt at the moment..

His lowered eyes spoke something, and her heart found something else in them.. He won’t force her hence forth for anything, but was he happy with his own proposal?

ASR-Khushi?

He looked up, and she knew he was waiting.. But how can she give in when she was not feeling brave.. Not that she ever forgot to love him, but how could she speak a YES when she was afraid to Love him this time? She remembered the last time when he proposed her and she was about to give in, when all her dreams broke apart and she feared to love Him again, since then.. What if..

Khushi sighed feeling her chest heavy..

The time stood still and she decided mentally that she won’t allow him to take away anything from her before he says that, what he just spoke the very next instant..

ASR-Tell me Khushi, will u marry me? Forever?

He stared her breathing out.. He knew he had to propose Khushi in the way she preferred, coz all he wanted was his Di to be satisfied from his heart.. He dint want to cheat anyone, and so he said whatever he said, after thinking wisely..

ASR-Plz, I wont ask for anything else then..

She was lost.. Lost in digesting what she just heard, lost in finding and feeling the truth in his proposal, and finally lost for words then.. Her eyes welled up..

Neither was she able to deny at that time, nor was she getting enough strength to speak a Yes.. They had fought many times in past.. His unnecessary blames and ill treatments were all welcomed by her with a smiling face, as all her heart felt for him was Love.. She dint mind any of that today, she just dint.. For she loved him today..

He took one step closer towards her, and she was still living her dream come true..

ASR-Will u?

She breathed out and looked down feeling scared..

***

Gupta House.. Drawing Room..

Anajli (enthusiastically)-Okay then.. I will start with the Engagement Preparations.. This week Engagement, is that okay?

Garima nodded only after getting a confirmation blink from Buaji..

Anjali-Okay then.. I’ll bring the shagun tomorrow.. Lets take their Marriage by this Month End only.. I cant wait, and we cant delay either..

She spoke the latter looking down and her smile dropped which she put on her face again before anyone could notice..

Garima-Um, what?? Anjali bitiya.. Engagement this week, is okay.. But Marriage, so soon? We don’t mind but, how will we manage all this so soon?? I mean u..

Anjali (sigh)-I’m fine.. We’ll manage! Trust me..

Garima looked at Buaji who was equally happy with all this, and both the ladies agreed to Anjali’s all requests, as they knew about Anjali’s critical condition and well understood the reason behind her hurry to get her brother married..

*

ASR came out of the kitchen and Anjali stood up with a broad victorious smile on her face.. ASR understood by the faces around, that Anjali’s wishes were granted by everyone here, and he was more than thankful to Khushi and Family coz of whom Anjali was feeling this happy today.. ASR saw how Anjali could not stop smiling and felt good after long..

ASR-Di um.. We should leave now..

Anjali-Ya..

She was still smiling.. She got up with her brother’s help and that’s when Buaji stopped them..

Buaji-Arey, I dint even ask for tea and snacks.. Plz excuse me..

Garima too asked them to stay for a while and Buaji turned to call Khushi OUT who was still hiding IN.. But, Anjali interrupted..

Anajli-Rehne dijiye.. Iski koi zarurath nahi.. Aur waise bi, ab toh aana jaana laga hei rahega, kyu? (Oh plz, no formalities needed.. And anyway, now toh we’ll keep coming, right?) *looks at an uninterested Arnav and looked at Garima again.* Filhaal ijhazat dijiye.. (Give us the permit to leave for now..)

Anjali eyed ASR to take the elders blessing and he respected his Di’s this wish too.. Anjali and her brother took a leave in seconds to come..

***

Inside ASR’s SUV..

  

Anjali-Thanks chote.. Am feeling very happy today.. Thanks..

ASR kept looking on the road and tried to concentrate on his Driving, before his sister sitting besides him interrupted him again..

Anjali-Arnav, u dint tell me what u did inside with Khushiji?

His sister was in a mood to tease, but ASR dint take that as fun..

Anjali showed her teeth and looked away outside the window holding on to the seat belt she had been wearing.. She bit her tongue and turned to see Arnav again, and asked..

Anjali-U did talk to her, right?

The SUV stopped and Anjali looked outside to see they were Home..

ASR-Come out Di..

Anjali came out and Arnav too..

*

Arnav and Anjali came inside their Home and Anjali was hurrying her way up.. She could not stop blabbering and ASR was just mum..

Anjali-Um.. Am sure u would have asked her the same what I had been discussing in the Drawing Room with her Amma and Buaji.. Tell na, what did she say??

Anjali was about to slip while entering her Room, and ASR held her..

ASR (hyper)-Be slow Di.. Ur hurry may spoil things..

He made Anjali sit on the Bed.. Arnav stood next to her, and was thinking to leave for his room, when Anjali smiled..

Anjali-Your right Chote.. Am sorry..

Arnav looked at Anjali who smiled weak and nodded her head saying..

Anjali-I have hurried as much as I should have.. I wont hurry now, coz I know all will go fine now..

***

Gupta House.. Khushi’s Room.. 

The Dinner was done and Garima and Buaji were here in Khushi’s room.. They knew, that Khushi knew the reason about Anjali and Arnav’s arrival in Gupta House today.. But the ladies had thought to give Khushi some time and talk to her about The Proposal, and convince her for the same at night.. And the Moon was out now..

Khushi was sitting in the middle of Her Bed with her legs crossed, in that yellow night dress of hers.. Her dupatta somewhere on the Bed, and her eyes staring the White bed sheet.. Her plait was in front of her left shoulder, and her hairs were a little messy..

Garima-So Khushi, what have u thought?

Garima who was sitting besides Khushi asked.. Khushi looked up at Garima and Buaji who were standing next to Garima with a smile of high expectations on her face..

Khushi-Amma..

Khushi looked away not able to speak much..

Buaji came forward and held Khushi’s chin to make her look up..

Buaji-Khushi.. We were just wishing for ur good back then, and today too.. It’s not only our job that we want to perform and finish, but our duty too..

Khushi-I know.. But I don’t know what to do Buaji.. Amma..

Khushi lay down putting her head in her Amma’s lap and cuddled in.. She was confused..

 Garima smiled and caressed Khushi’s head..

Garima-Its okay Khushi.. This happens.. I too was confused when ur Babuji and my marriage talks were been discussed.. But I trusted my parents and see, dint I lead a Happy Married Life till the end?

Khushi looked up at Garima..

Khushi-Amma! I dint mean that.. I do trust u.. But Arnavji? I don’t know..

She looked away and Garima cupped Khushi’s face..

Garima-I married ur Babuji without even having seen his face.. U have seen and met Arnav bitwa and known him well too.. Tell me, don’t u know him well by now?

Khushi couldn’t deny.. She knew almost all about ASR from Anjali..

Garima-U know Khushi, ur Babuji already married u and Arnav bitwa in his mind..

Khushi’s eyes widened.. Garima blinked her eyes and nodded with a faint smile..

Garima-Yes bitiya.. He liked Arnav babua.. He had even told that, *sighs and looks at Buaji* he would like to be a part of his daughter’s Wedding when she’s getting married.. *looks at Khushi* But trust me bitiya, even now he wants to bless u two.. Marry Arnav bitwa if u feel alright.. *wipes a tear* Ur father would bless u from above..

Khushi cried and hugged her Amma nodding a Yes, finally..!!

***

Same night, Garima called Anjali and let her know that Khushi had agreed to get married to ASR.. Anjali was on the ninth sky and she could not wait for tomorrow to come and go with the Shagun at Gupta House..

And so did it happen, but with slight difference..

The next day Anjali sent Shagun with Mohan, their driver.. She was not that well, and so she was not allowed by Arnav to get out of the Bed.. Anjali had agreed to that easily, after all her brother was giving in to her Last Wish.. She had nothing more to ask for..

***

Gupta’s visited Anjali within the next two days and it was decided that Marriage will take place at Raizada Mansion, but Engagement at Gupta House.. Other rituals were not given much importance for Anjali’s health dint seem to be really good going.. Her delivery date was getting closer too, and all ASR wished was to give Anjali all the Comfort she should have at this stage..

Minimum Guests and a Low Profile Marriage, were the only two requests of ASR to which the Gupta’s agreed.. Although Khushi had always dreamt of a Loud Marriage, she could obviously not think of the same today, no more..

xx

(to be continued)