Silver Linings

Concerns

The sight of Khushi and Arnav being lost in each other had been stewing in Madhumati's thoughts the whole day. As the day went by, it occurred to her that this wasn't the first time that she had witnessed Arnav pay special attention to Khushi. There had been multiple instances during the wedding festivities, where she had seen it happen right in front of her. Though they seemed innocent at the time, when seen as a whole now, solidified the thought in Madhumati's mind - Arnav was enamoured by Khushi.

She didn't know what to do with this notion.. she knew she didn't want to bring up the topic in front of Khushi. She didn't want to risk the development of any feelings on Khushi's end without getting all her facts straight. But her age and life experience made her fairly certain that the feelings was reciprocated on both side. She had witnessed Khushi being a complete blushing mess on the ride over.

Arnav was a good man.. yes they had their bits of verbal sparring in the past, but upon getting to know him better, Madhumati had a very high opinion of him. He was well mannered, courteous, very disciplined, and very helpful, He had a temper issue for sure.. but that didn't make him a bad person. Madhumati approved of the idea of Khushi and Arnav. But she wasn't going to make the same mistake she did the previous time, this time, she would get everyone's opinions, before making her suggestion.

So, she waited until she knew Khushi would be busy for at least an hour or two, and then called for a family meeting. She was very pleased with both Garima's and Payal's responses, so when Garima asked her why she was questioning them about Arnav, she answered honestly without any hesitation. Only Garima reacted to her words as expected, Payal showed no sign of surprise, and Sashi was almost very pleased with what she had said.

Before she could question either of them, it was Garima who beat her to the punch. "Aap ko pata tha?" (You knew?) she heard her sister in law's surprised tone, and she saw her brother nod his head slightly, which honestly surprised her as well. "Kaise?" (How?) she thought for a second before she continued "Khushi ne bataya tha aapko?" (Did Khushi tell you?). Sashi shook his head, "Phir kaise?" (Then how?) Garima's question was rhetorical. They sat in silence for a little while, Madhumati noticed that, while Payal and Sashi seemed happy with the revelations, Garima looked a little pensive. "Kaa baat hai Garima? Jo bhi mann mei hai, hume batado" (What is the matter Garima? What ever is in your mind, share with us) 

Garima looked up "Jiji, hum iss baat ko badhava nai deni chahiye.." (Jiji, we shouldn't encourage this) Payal immediately questioned her mother "Kyun Amma? Arnav ji bohot ache hai" (Why Amma? Arnav ji is a good person) Garima shook her head "Hum yeh nai kehre ke woh bure hai... hum maante hai ke woh Ache hai... bohot hi ache hai... unke parivaar bhi bohot ache hai... lekin yeh rishta kabhi nahi hopayega Payalia" (I am not saying he is a bad person.. I agree he is a good man... he is a very good man... and his family are good people too.. but this relationship can never materialize Payal) Payal and Madhumati looked at each other, surprised that the soft natured Garima, was being so adamant in her opinion.

"Kyun nai Garima? Agar dono hi ek dusre ko chahte hai.. tho achi baat hai na.. aur hamri dono bitiyan ek hi ghar mei honge" (Why not Garima? If the two of them like each other, then it is a good thing right.. and both our girls will be in the same house) Madhumati tried to reason, but Garima cut her off in the middle "Aur ussi ghar mei woh Shyam bhi hai Jiji.. woh Arnav bitwa ka Jeejaji hai.." (And Shyam also lives in that same house Jiji.. he is Arnav's brother in law) Madhumati's immediately clutched the sides of her head muttering "oo aadmi ko tho hum bhool hi gaye the" (I had totally forgot about that man) Garima nodded her head and continued "Agar kal unhe sab sach pata chale.. tho humari bachi ki zindagi ka kya hoga?" (If in the future, they find out the truth.. then what will happen to our girl's life?) The fear Garima felt was evident in her voice and the tears that pooled in her eyes.