Chessboard

Part 8

After shifting Khushi to the private ward doctor checked her progress once again and said to Arnav who was holding his breath that "ASR, your wife is doing good. She is recovering fast hopefully she would gain her conscious sooner than expected," saying this doctor went to check his other patients after instructing the nurse stationed there what to do and left with the nurse.

Arnav took a huge sign of relief and started to breathe normally again.

There was small workstation in the room along with other amenities. Arnav sat on the chair and gestured to sit Aman beside him. Then he turned to HP, Hari Prakash one of the loyal servants of the Shantivan and gestured him to sit in front of him.

Startled by the gesture "Bhaiya, me? Why? But..." The ever aggressive but good from the heart person asking him to sit is not sitting well with him so he shuttered in front of him more than ever.

"Shut up HP, do as I said I have to ask you few questions sit." HP without further delay sat in front of him.

"How you came here HP, did Mohan(driver) drop you here?" asked Arnav.

"Yes bhaiya, he is waiting in the parking lot, from here we have to go to the market." Said HP.

Arnav nodded and looked at Aman and the latter understood what he has to do. All the three sat in complete silence which was broken by the arrival of the driver Mohan.

Arnav don't know, what is waiting for him but he has already been late in knowing about to the true colours of the so-called family members or is he? But nevertheless, he doesn't want to delay more.

First time in his life, Arnav felt he was standing on the Chessboard with his few loyal companions but instead of queen saving the king, here King has to save His Queen from the opposite party at any cost even if he has to sacrifice his life for that he would do in a heartbeat thought Arnav.

Arnav's strong instinct are warning him about getting the negative opinion, about the family members, in all the ways, whether it would be from the background check or bank details or phone records or questioning of the ever-loyal servants of Shantivan. Arnav prepared himself to learn the truth how much bitter it would be, he would save his Queen at any cost.

Arnav want to address the elephant in the room and he don't want to delay anymore, "HP, Mohan what does Nani, Mami, Di and Payal do at home and outside of RM when I am not present? What is the difference in their behaviour and approach to others when I am present and not?" asked Arnav.

Other members present in the room were seeing Arnav like as if he is an Alien, Is he Arnav bhaiya? What happened to him? What made him to ask such type of questions? Why he is asking such type of question that to about family member who are dearest to him, especially his Di? What would he do it they say something negative about them? Can they say the truth and live after it? And many more are running their brains.

Aman some what guess why Arnav asking those question, HP and Mohan understood that look in Arnav's eyes and thought that it would be better if the come clean and a nod from Aman assured them that nothing is going to happen if the say the truth.

HP and Mohan saw each other eyes and with the determination HP started "Bhaiya Naniji, Mamiji and Anjali mam if they are present in the Mansion they would watch daily soaps or criticize other about their status or family members or jewellery or sarees or many other materialistic things, Bhaiya and if not they would go for shopping which would be most of the time if they go for ashram or Satsang also they would return with lot of shopping bags".

"Why are you addressing Di as mam HP you would call her didi right?" asked Arnav with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes Bhaiya, but if you are not present, we all have to call her as mam only and we, low class people are like door mat to her, she says that she is Raizada princess we have to look at her feet and talk with them all other wise that day we have to face lots of punishments Bhaiya, but after you married Khushi Bhabhi, she saved us many times and she faced all those and many more. She is like the water in the dessert, in presences of her we always felt even we are humans." said HP with the proud face looking at his Bhabhi. "But when your are present in the house, even when you are in the room the would behave like they are the only most sweet, caring and concern persons in the world and there is no differentiation between our status".

"What about day-to-day household work, HP?" asked Arnav with a frown on his face.

"All the household work is mostly done by Khushi Bhabhi alone along with us. We thought Payal Mam would share her burden, but in front of other she would pretend to do the work, other wise she would do nothing. For Shyam sir also Khushi Bhabhi should give coffee even if Anjali mam would be present, Anjali mam would order Khushi Bhabhi to serve them all, but Khushi Bhabhi would always send me or OP(Om Prakash) to serve Shyam sir and for others she would do, once because of Payal mam..." HP was about to continue but the ring of the mobile broke HP's trans...

Aman went out of the ward and took his call... coming out of the trans, HP hesitated to continue but one look from Arnav forgot his hesitation... in the meanwhile Aman came back completing his call and said to Arnav, "My sources sent me the said the details, I'm sending you the email now" Arnav nodded and gave a look to HP, indicating him to continue.

"Anjali mam always insisted Khushi Bhabhi to serve coffee to Shyam sir first then she has to serve all then only she have to eat or drink, but she would always sent me or OP and serve others after that then she would have, but once she saw Khushi Bhabhi sending me and stated to question Bhabhi and Payal mam lied that Bhabhi was not doing any work and laying around but that day actually Bhabhi was not feeling well but still she did the work but not at her regular pace. But Anjali mam couldn't take it that Khushi Bhabhi is not obeying her orders and even raised her hand on Khushi Bhabhi, but, by god's grace, at the same time you came and didn't go to office and worked from home." Said HP

"Anjali mam, Naniji, Mamiji and Payal mam always treated Bhabhi as a maid before and after marriage also, bhaiya but Bhabhi never complained, even if they insulted her or mistreated her by all she took them with a smile on her face. You know bhaiya, why Bhabhi started her dabba service not because she had free time as they told you, but because when Bhabhi need money for womanly problem, they insulted saying she is beggar who can't even take care of her personal needs. Madhumatiji and Garimaji started speaking her properly only after Bhabhi started to earn money otherwise..." narrated HP and brushed his tears. Everyone in the room brushed their tears.

Arnav nodded composing himself and saw with a questioning eye to Mohan. Mohan understood now it's his turn to answer Arnav's question. Mohan started "Bhaiya, Naniji, Mamiji, and Anjali mam they mostly go to shopping, when they go to Satsang or ashrama, they would criticize others or badmouth others, other than that they never went to any other places bhaiya". said Mohan.

"Mohan, what about Khushi where she would go with them?" asked Arnav because if they treated Khushi at home as such then how they would behaved with Khushi outside RM thought Arnav with a shudder.

Mohan with a sad face said "Bhaiya, She never used any of the car even if they idle, she would always travel in Auto's or Public transport or ........by walk".

"Why?" questioned Arnav with a raised eyebrows. "Because, after your marriage, once Anjali mam and Naniji said to Khushi Bhabhi that she is not eligible to travel in their cars because she is not of their status, that she is an..........orphan and you married each other without their approval and permission ". said Mohan

Arnav took a long sign, with each and every word of HP and Mohan spoke his ever-famous anger raised at his highest peak, but after the events, of the day he under stood that things are getting just started.

Arnav again addressed HP "what about Akash and NK?.

"Akash sir he was never at home properly, he would come home very late but always he would go to office after you would go. That's all bhaiya. He never took part in any of the house hold activities and conversations. And NK bhai, after his arrival Khushi Bhabhi would always smile even when she was feeling very low, other than entertaining others that he would watch movies or help Khushi Bhabhi or sometimes he would go to his friend's house or sometimes parties that's all bhaiya." Said HP.

Arnav nodded and said them to go home and forget about the conversation took place in the room and never to utter single word about it to others.

After they left NK came there. Arnav had his food which is very tasteless and had his medicines.

Even when Arnav insulted her, showed his anger, hatred towards her, it was her who always took care of his meals thought Arnav with the first morsel of the food.

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