ARSHI: MY LIPSTICK GIRL

PART - 19

Kushi came home. Her lips curved into a beautiful smile.
Garima: You came home? So soon?
Kushi noticed Garima was decorating her father’s photo with a garland.
Kushi was confused as she was thinking what his father was going to tell to her that day. She sighed and went to her room.

Kushi was remembering Arnav’s question – ‘Why did you agree to marry me?’
Kushi smiled more again and started to talk to her sweethearts just like before she used to.

Garima: Kushiiiii
Her mother called.
Garima: Your uncle came.

Kushi ran down and greeted her uncle. Garima went to the kitchen to prepare coffee.

Uncle: So, what about Arnav?
Kushi: He is good.
Kushi was soft-spoken now. Somewhat she was uncomfortable with him as he was the one who lent the idea of borrowing money from Arnav.
Uncle: I am sorry, Kushi. I just came to know from the previous proposals that it was because of the loan they rejected you. I have given you a bad idea.
Kushi seems upset to talk about this topic here at home. She fears that Garima would here this.
Kushi: Ram Uncle, it’s not a problem but I think we could stop talking about this.
Garima: Here is your coffee.

Kushi: Amma, I will go and meet Preeto and come.
Garima: Yesterday too you went to meet her right?
Kushi: Ma, she is the one calling me. Bye ma and bye Ram Uncle.
***

Arnav was thinking about Kushi’s mother when she asked why Kushi was late.
Arnav: Where will she going after office hours?
He was talking to himself. He wanted to know.
Arnav: This girl is full of secrets.
La: Who is that girl?
La interrupted his thoughts and was wriggling her eyes naughtily.
Arnav: Your bestttttt friend, Kushi.
La: If you say her best friend once more then Ratna aunty would cry over your death.
Arnav: Okay, okay. I am just thinking about Kushi what will she be after working hours. Her mother once said me to leave her at least by 5 or 6 as she comes home late by 8 but the office hours are only till 5.
La: It’s a good chance. Let’s complain to her mother.
Arnav: Don’t you dare.
La: After Kushi came, you totally forgot about me.
Arnav: Don’t overreact, come let’s go for an ice-cream.
La: Say you wanted to search Kushi.
Arnav grinned and La bet him.

Arnav and La went to Ibaco to have different flavours of creams. After that, they went for a drive.
La: Is that Kushi?
La pointed to a medical shop and asked.
Arnav: What is she doing there?
La: Is she working there? Seems like that.
Arnav was shocked.
Arnav: Oh my god! Is she working there to pay the loan.
La: Loan?

Arnav said her everything about Kushi asking about the loan but not about Aakash. La was impressed with her enemy.
La: Is she that much generous and a good girl.
Arnav: You will get to know her soon. Come let’s go.
La: And what do we ask her? The shop owner would not be pleased with us reaching out to her other than purchasing.
Arnav: Then let’s purchase come.
They got down and went towards Kushi. Kushi was working sincerely and failed to notice the known face. Without facing them, she asked.
Kushi: How may I help you? Ek minute sir.
Arnav (audible only to Kushi): I am having a love fever. Can I get love dose?
Kushi turned towards the known faces and was shocked to see her there. Kushi was silent.
Hearing the owner’s footsteps, Kushi asked politely.
Kushi: Sir, can you please tell me again?
La: Why are you formal, Kushi?
Kushi was surprised hearing such words from La. But then,
La: Don’t I know that doesn’t suits you.
Kushi: I just learnt it from someone named La how to act formal.
Arnav: Stop fighting. Kushi, I wanted to talk with you. I will be waiting after your working hours. Now give me a paracetamol.
Kushi couldn’t ask now why but gave the medicine he asked for.
Arnav went to his car dragging La. Om his way, he met a person.
Mr. Bhatia: Hello, Mr. Raizada. Heard you are going to get married to Shashi ji’s daughter.
Arnav: Hello, Mr. Bhatia. Yes, it’s true. Hope the amount is enough to start dealing with Shashi ji’s office.
Mr. Bhatia: I was surprised how Kushi got 8 lakhs all of the sudden. Seems, her would-be helped her.
Arnav: Eight lakhs?
Mr. Bhatia: Yes, Mr. Arnav. We would have a talk later but now I need to go somewhere. Take care.
After he went, La questioned:
La: How can you lie to me that you were engaged before giving her 15 lakhs? So bad. And also 8 lakhs and you said me 15 just few minutes ago.
Arnav: No, La. It’s a lie.
La: Then why didn’t you say that you were engaged after that?
Arnav: La, can’t you understand? Her name will be spoiled if I said so but now that’s not the problem. I gave her 15 lakhs but he said 8. Something is wrong.
La: Definitely then Kushi stole the remaining 7 la… Ouch… 
Arnav: Don’t blame her. If she has enough money then why should she work in such shops.
La: There could be another reason right.
Arnav: There could be but don’t say she stole it.
La: You said you want to meet her right after her work ends. Then you ask her?
***
Kushi was looking here and there searching for Arnav.
Kushi: Can I call him?
Kushi dialled his number.
Arnav: Kushi, I am sorry but something came up. But I want to talk to you tomorrow for sure.
Kushi: Okay.
Kushi definitely she knew that it is about the part-time job but not.
***
Arnav conveyed about the money matter to his mother. Ratna too said that it might for some other reason. But Arnav,
Arnav: But ma, I heard from her itself that she paid all the 25 lakhs to that dealer, I mean Mr. Bhatia. And why she has to lie?
Ratna: She will be having her own reasons.
Arnav: I wanted to know.
Ratna: Don’t be stubborn. She hasn’t come out from her shell. She will tell when she feels to say. And why does it matter to you. You were the one who said don’t need to return but now why are you…
Arnav: Maa, it’s just bad vibration and one more thing, Kushi is working in part-time jobs to pay the amount with interest. I don’t want her to be in such situations. Can’t you think? Once how rich they were but now she is working like this. I feel very bad for her maa.
Ratna was shocked to hear this.
Ratna: So, that’s why her mother asked you to send her soon from office?
Arnav nodded.
Ratna: Just very few days left, let she come here then I will never make her work.
Arnav hugged her.
Ratna: Don’t feel bad. Her time is yet to come. I must say Aakash missed her.
*SMASH THE VOTE BUTTON*





To be continued…

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Dated: 24-12-2020

Yours,

Lily