Arshi ff - A tale of love of Arnav and Khushi

8. See Past The Facade

Where life has been strained for Arnav at home. It was not much better for Khushi as well. She has started seeing behind the facade of Gupta Family who she thought were one of her own people since they accepted her as their own or rather pretended to accept.

One such day-

It has been a month since Payal and Khushi joined AR Designs. Their first pay was given to them through Cheques and today they had withdrawn the sum from their accounts. They happily bounced back home and told the family about the same. 

The Gupta Family showered Payal with loves and wishes on her first pay and they also congratulated Khushi. After a little celebration of Tea and hot piping pakoras, the excitement had calmed down, Garima raised the topic of money as how much expenditure is budgeted for this month and lamented that their income from the sweet shop is hardly enough to pay Back to moneylender alone.

Garima- I don't know how will we manage the upcoming month?

Madhumati- Hai Re Nand Kishore! Now only you can save us.

Payal- No worries Bua Ji, Our Nand Kishore will surely show us some way and till then you can keep my salary and pay off certain amounts due.

Shashi- What are you saying Payal Bitiya? How can we accept your salary? This is your first pay, and you must have some wishes as well. Go and enjoy and no more discussions on it.

Payal- Okay Babu Ji. Now I am off to sleep.

Everybody wish the princess a very good night and their discussion resumes.

Madhumati- I think we should raise our rent or we can give it in sharing. It will at least give us a better amount.

Khushi becomes awkward hearing this and then she takes out Rs. 15000 from her pay and forwards it to Madhumati, who very quickly snatch the amount and start counting it.

Khushi- It is Rs. 15000 for rent. I am giving Rs 4000 more than we decided.

Madhumati- Yes Bitiya but will it be okay if we give the room in sharing as then we will get at least Rs. 20000 a month.

Khushi seems hesitant but then finally says that she cannot share the room and if there is a problem, she will try to find another accommodation. 

To which Shashi interrupts and says-

What are you saying Bitiya , there is no need of finding another accommodation as we are a family now. And, moreover you are paying more than we agreed. It is already enough.

Madhumati wants to speak but Shashi signals her to keep quiet.

Khushi was quiet upset but nodded and went back to her room.

After sometime, 

Khushi comes to kitchen for some warm water. She hears the hushed voices and stand near the door to hear the conversation when she heard her name being mentioned.

Shashi- What were you doing Jiji? What if Khushi had decided to leave this PG? 

Madhumati- She won't do this. It was just I wanted a bigger sum and said so. At least we could get Rs. 4000 more.

Garima- Khushi seemed upset. She never sleeps without wishing either of us and today she just left. I hope we have not pushed her hard.

Madhumati- Oh leave it, Garima! She would not leave as we have adopted her. But if you say so I will coddle her tomorrow and everything would be okay.

Shashi- That is better. You both must try to appease her, and nothing should go wrong.

Madhumati- I know. Let's sleep now. Good Night.

Garima and Shashi also wish her good night and move towards their room.

Khushi feels upset and silently slips away and goes to her room as well.

The next morning,

Khushi gets up in the morning and take her time to freshen up unlike the previous days when she used to get up early and moved to kitchen to prepare the breakfast despite it not being her job before everyone comes after their morning routine and now she noticed that soon after she started helping Garima in Kitchen, she has stopped coming to kitchen in morning and it was Khushi, who by herself made the breakfast for the entire family.

Garima, Shashi, Madhumati and Payal come to the living area, ready to have their breakfast. Garima goes to kitchen to check out what Khushi had made for breakfast. She was shocked to see that Kitchen was in the same condition as they left at night. 

Shashi-Garima, be quick. Payal will get late for office.

Garima comes out and tells everybody that breakfast is not ready as Khusi had not gone into kitchen.

Gupta Family seems shocked. Meanwhile, they saw Khushi entering the hall and Shashi was the first to ask her if everything was okay as she got up late and also did not come to kitchen.

Khushi- Yes, everything is alright. It was just I could not get up early today.

Madhumati- No problem bitiya. Now, that you're up, let us go to kitchen to make the breakfast or you girls will get late for office. Come Garima.

Khushi- Bua ji, I will not be having the breakfast from today and so you can prepare it for yourself only.

Garima- Why Bitiya? Don't you like the food here?

Khushi- No-No, it is nothing like that it is just my friend will bring food for me and we shall ahve it together.

Payal- Your friend?

Khushi- Yes Jiji, she works on the same floor as us. You might not know her as you are generally working on the floor below us.

Khushi had spoken with no meaning to insult or embarrass Payal, but Payal seemed offended when Khushi said that she works a level below her.

Khushi- Okay everybody, I will be leaving now.

Madhumati- Why so early, wait for sometime and you and Payal can go together then.

Khushi- No buaji, I will not be going by Auto today. My friend will pick me up. She has her own car.

Khushi watches their expression and sure enough, she watches the traces of jealousy.

Khushi- Bye. See you all in evening.

After she leaves, there was dead silence in the hall which was broken by the loud voice of Madhumati.

Madhumati- What the hell? How is she behaving so atrociously. If she was going through car, then she could have taken Payal along. Also, she thinks of herself as high and mighty, she does not want breakfast so she did not make it for us as well.

Payal- Amma, just give me some breakfast. I have to leave for office as well. 

On the other side, Khushi had just reached the main road and Arnav stops his car, to pick his secret friend cum lady love. Yes, it was Arnav, who messaged her in the morning that he will pick her up and then both shall go to office.

Khushi being in upset mood accepted Arnav's offer as his presence will help her soothe her aching heart.

Khushi gets in the car and it zoomed off.

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