Moonlit nights

Sixty Five

"Di..Stop the madness. It is going to harm you and the baby in you. Please come out. Please"begged Arnav looking at Anjali who had locked the door of the examination room,and was standing with a knife in her hand. There was this maddening glint in her eyes as she caressed the baby bumb that was barely shown..

Arnav was scared when the doctor called him,about Anjali making an appointment. It was barely the day after he returned from his kidnap and had thrown Shyam out. Anjali had locked herself in. And the next day,he had to go to office to sign some documents. He had to see the will,and many more. And he got the call.

Anjali had reached the hospital and was sitting with the doctor when Arnav reached. He stood outside and called her doctor. As the doctor walked out,however Anjali turned and saw him. And as soon as the doctor came out,she had locked the door and held the knife.

Arnav wanted to shout. What was knife doing in the room. But he knew it was silly. It was just a small sergical knife. But damn it. It was his sister..

The doctor opened the door with her keys and both rushed in. He somehow snatched the knife and Anjali broke down.

Crying she wanted to end the life of the child of a sinner. He gulped. Somehow it took him more than an hour to calm her down and he took her home.

"Khushi..Who asked you to go to Di?"Arnav asked sternly.

Khushi looked at him with tears. Mami and Nani had already scolded her enough,seeing Anjali and Arnav. Now Arnav.

"But Arnavji. She had not eaten anything from last night. She is pregnant. What if something happens to her. So I went to her.."Khushi muttered.

"You could have send it with someone else. What is the need to go yourself? Khushi. When will you grow up?"Arnav asked,loudly.

Someone outside smiled and walked away. Arnav held her close caressing her hair as he continued to scold her. And Khushi continued to be silent..

After few moments,they broke apart. Arnav sat near her.

"Khushi.. For few days,go to Gupta House. But not quitely. Telling everyone that we are fighting. That whatever has happened,it has saddened you. Remember Khushi. This family is not just for me or Anjali or Akash. It's yours too. It's as much yours as mine. So,Khushi. You have to tell them. You mind. You are hurt. The way Di nearly killed her child today. It was bad. And I know. Somewhere everyone including Payal is blaming you. Khushi. Family sets priority. And stand by it. No matter what,at least Payal,as your sister should have stood for you. But instead she.."Arnav stopped. Khushi gulped.

The night passed..

Khushi packed a bag and left. For Gupta house. She did not even inform anyone.

Arnav returned from morning walk and saw the missing bag. And smiled. But soon his forehead had lines of worries. Would she be well in Gupta house? The way Madhu Bua was,the way Garima behaved coldly. Would she be happy there? He did not know. He had no option. How he wished to call Aman and ask him to arrange a hotel for Khushi. But it would be wrong. It was time of choices. Do he have a home? Do they have a home?

"Nani..Have you seen Khushi?"asked Arnav as he walked downstairs..

Nani nodded a no and sat with her flowers. Anjali started to get up to walk upstairs. Manorama made faces. Payal did not look up from the Pooja plate.

"By the way Payal. Cook the favourite foods of Khushi today"he said and looked at the reaction of everyone around.

"Why Arnav babua. Today we are planning to make Anjali bitiya's favourite food"Manorama said.

Arnav glanced at Payal,not at anyone else. She was just quitely arranging flowers. No reaction. He closed his eyes for a moment. And walked away.

"Nani. I am going for an important meeting. Please send my meal with Khushi to office. My blood sugar level is not right after all this fiasco"he said bluntly not caring about Anjali who looked up from the sofa. And Nani who glared at him.

And walked away.

Neither Khushi came,nor anyone else with meal. He smiled ruefully. Even Akash was behaving as if he was a criminal. He walked towards canteen.

Manju didi smiled at him and gave him a tray of food. He picked up the spoon and dipped it in the dal. And tasted it. It tasted familiar. Khushi's food.

"Manju Didi. Your hands have magic in them. I wish to kiss them you know"Arnav said looking behind Manju.

Manju laughed out loud. The figure inside kitchen moved a little so that he could see. He smiled and mouthed a happy birthday to her. She nodded.

After having a meal he moved away. The day passed. No one asked why Khushi was absentq. He did not too.

He was moving fast. Sometimes all it needs is a moment for the house of card to crumble. Arnav stood looking at the stars.

Would he be able to keep Khushi safe,in the storm to come. When the ones we consider dear, actually donot hesitate to harm us,what to do,he could not think.

He was waiting for Khushi. He wished to know about Guptas. They had not talked from the morning. He did not know where and who was the snake. No,he knew the snake. But the depth of it,the treacherous plots. He did not know the extend. So he was bidding his time.

If they could kidnap him from the airport,then he had to see. Who else was involved in the mess. It was not just Shyam. Arnav knew. But he was not going down this time.

May be the move made in hasty,the kidnap was going to be the downfall of some.