THE HAPPINESS CAFE ~ THE ARSHI STORY

2. Her Belief

Everyone was enjoying themselves at the wedding venue. And why wouldn't they. It was their favourite couple's wedding. All were so excited that they couldn't find anything odd in the situation.

Suddenly Khushi came to Anjali and tapped her shoulder.
Anjali- "Hmm... Arrey Khushiji aap." And she panicked seeing her pale face. She further added
"Aap itna dari hui kyu hai. Idhar aaiye. Baithiye."
Khushi- "Nahi di. Hume nhi baithna. Aap please Arnavji ko phone kijiye na. Dekhiye ab tak nhi aaye. Humara dil baitha ja raha hai. Aisa lagraha hai ki kuch galat hone wala hai. Kijiye na please"

On Khushi's insistence, Anjali tried calling Arnav but he didn't pick any of her calls. She then called the landline number, which was answered by Hariprakash who told her that Dadi and Arnav have already left and there is no one in the house now. After hearing this, Anjali felt a bit relaxed. She immediately headed towards Khushi and told her happily that Arnav is on the way. Just before Khushi could react, she heard a screeching sound of the car stopping at the entrance and she immediately rushed to see her Arnavji. Seeing the car, a small drop of tear rolled down her cheeks. She mumbled slowly "Arnav ji" and she kept walking towards the car and watching dadi coming out, she stopped immediately and waited for Arnav to also come out. That annoying feeling of loosing everything was back. She could hear her heart beating so loud. She just wanted her Arnavji to be with her.

The absence of Arnav made everyone curious and anxious. Dadi slowly stepped down from the car and proceeded towards the venue. Everyone was watching her with curious eyes as if looking for the answer to their questions. Dadi ignored everyone and her eyes just kept watching Khushi. She wanted this girl out of Raizada's lives and it was happening. After seeing the broken khushi, dadi smirked and assured Shyam with the gestures, who was curious to know whether their plan worked or not.

Not finding her brother in the car, Anjali started questioning Dadi about his whereabouts. But Dadi just kept looking at Khushi and Garima. And then finally Khushi broke her silence and came towards Dadi and asked "Dadiji where is Arnavji. Vo kyu nahi hai aapke sath? Dusri gaadi mei hai? Please btaiye na. Aap chup kyu hai?"
Dadi couldn't tolerate Khushi anymore so she roared at top of her voice - " Nahi aare Arnav. Nahi hogi ye shadi. " and started narrating the whole story. Story of betrayal of Garima Gupta. Everyone was shocked.

Khushi didn't believe anything what dadi uttered. She loudly said "Aap jhuth bol rahi hai. Hamare Arnavji hume aise nhi chorh sakte. Aur Amma... vo toh aisi bilkul nahi hai." And turned towards Garima and told her - "Amma, aap chup kyu hai. Boliye na kuch. Dekhiye na Dadiji kya keh rahi hai." Hearing her daughters questions, Garima could not hold back and told the truth. Truth about her past that how she was played by that conman. She specified that she left immediately after she got to know that Arvind Malik had a family. Khushi saw her mother with teary eyes. Seeing broken khushi, Garima immediately ran towards Dadiji and held her feet. Crying and asking for forgiveness.

Raizada's were emotional and Anjali bursted into tears. She could see the flashes of that horrifying day. Her mother's face was all she could see. Nani was trying to console her grand daughter. As they saw Garima on the feet of Dadi, they got back in the moment. Everyone started joining the dots and could make out that Garima was not at fault. Khushi who was lost after hearing the truth cane to Garima and asked her not to ask for forgiveness for something she is not guilty of. Raizada's agreed with Khushi and forgave Garima, making Dadi furious.

Khushi cane towards Dadi with folded hands and told her that it was the situation which was at fault and not her mother. She should not dig in the past and ruin everyone's present and future. Dadi kept looking at Raizada's for support but no one spoke in her favour. Everyone believed that Khushi is right. Dadi could not tolerate it and left the venue.

Everyone started calling Arnav and tried to locate him. Khushi was broken and waiting at the alter. She still had belief that her Arnavji will come. It's been 3 hours since this episode but Arnav did not come and Khushi did not leave her place. She was sitting in the mandap and waiting for Arnav. The family was now concerned for Khushi. They have never seen her like this before. They all had lost hope now and tried to make Khushi understand that Arnav will not come. But Khushi was being stubborn and kept sitting and waiting.

Khushi- "Arnavji aaenge. Zaroor aaenge. Unhone waada kia hai. Hume unpar pura bharosa hai"

... to be continued.