Khushi's Web

Chapter 6

19/07/22

Its a warm welcome again to you lovely readers. Enjoy the next part.

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Dilshad Khan was already waiting for the kids as she calls them when they arrived all tired and haggard. A call from Asad last night informing her of Khushi missing had shocked her to the core. Thus, when he told her they were coming for breakfast, she got everything ready, eagerly waiting for good news. She refused to be a pessimist and hoped for the best. She hugged Arnav and slapped him lightly on the cheek in a reprimanding way.

'Ouch Bua, is this how you treat your lovely nephew?' Arnav whined like a little kid.

'Really, are you, my nephew? Surely you don't treat me as one. Instead, an outsider is treated better than I. Only last night I got to know about Khushi missing and all of you kept me in the dark. Is it because your father and I had different mothers or is it because...?'

'Bua enough now, how can you say such a thing? You know how much I love and respect you. I was under a lot of stress, confused, and guilt too. I'd just fought with your darling and I'd passed through Delhi to find those witches planning God-knows what with my son. To add all that Khushi was missing and this team of special nothings detained me, questioned me and what not.'

'Did you say son? Which son are you talking about whom I don't know? Don't tell me you have a son out there Arnav, does Khushi know?'

'Yes Bua, I do have a son and I don't think Khushi Knows.'

'Oh no! it can't be. My poor baby, what is she going to do, how could you do this to her? Who is the mother? I swear to...'

'Mom, relax,' Asad got hold of his mother and helped her sit down.

'Don't tell me to relax, you are all in this am I right? Did you know, Asad, and you let him do this to my poor Khushi? Nobody loves my Khushi?'

The troupe face palmed. She was not giving them time to speak and nobody really loved Khushi, what a joke! If anything, she was the most loved as she was the baby of the grown-ups.

'Mother let us go and freshen up then we will tell you everything and yes, we love your darling too. Relax ok, we will be right back.'

'This is not a commercial Asad. Come back quickly.' They all laughed at the dramatic Dilshad and left to their respective rooms. As it was, each household had a room reserved for Asya, Avneil and Arshi.

The girls came down first and helped Dilshad set the table. The boys went to Arshi's room and found ARS looking at a pic in his phone.

'Looking at Khushi's pic?' Asad asked.

'For the first time in years, I'm looking at someone else's pic on my phone other than Khush. Look at him bhai, isn't he the most beautiful thing you have ever laid your eyes on?' Arnav asked with pride.

Neil and Asad just smiled patting Arnav. Fatherhood for you, who better than them knew the feeling.

'Just like you.' Neil said.

'Eww, I'm not beautiful, he is like Khush,  i mean you should see when he smiles.'

'Oh, is it?'

'Of course, you will see for yourself.' Arnav said enthusiastically then frowned. 'Why is my fate so horrible guys? For years I was deprived of my son, I get him back, and they take my wife. Am I ever going to have a full family? Khushi prayed and fasted for this very miracle, and she isn't here to witness her fruits. Can you imagine if she was here and we tell her that Arhan is her son, her own flesh and blood, the joy?'