Making Her Mine- An IPKKND story.

Chapter 46 - Wrath

Arnav gazed at his wife in wonder as he picked up the two luggage bags from the boot of Akash's car, and followed her into the airport.

Of all the things that he didn't expect, hadn't dreamed he deserved, was Khushi angrily defending him. She seemed far more certain of his goodness than he had ever been. When Khushi had told him that she believed their parents had become stars and watched over them, he couldn't pick one as his mother. Not because he didn't want to believe – but because he didn't want to think about his mother watching him. He was afraid she would be disappointed.

Well, clearly, all he needed to do was get Khushi to speak to her.

Khushi had never been on a plane before. He wished it was real, that they were off on a holiday, he didn't care where – away from all this. But at least Shyam was going away from the house, even if was for a short time – time they needed for the investigation, to get him. Whatever happened, he decided, that man wouldn't set foot in his house again.

The vehicle that Dubey had sent for them turned out to be a taxi. Arnav rolled his eyes. Dubey was turning out to be every bit as dramatic as Khushi, telling him to remember to "duck down" when they approached Buaji's house.

Buaji blustered and exclaimed when she saw Khushi and Arnav at the door. "Hai rey Nandkishore!" She said. "Garima! Look who's here!" She yelled over her shoulder, and turned back to them. "How come you're here so soon? Is everything okay?"

"Buaji, we have to talk to you," Khushi said. "Let us come inside, first."

A man was sitting at the table inside, wearing all black, looking far too large for the house. "This is Gopal-ji," Buaji said, beaming. "Akash babua sent him, he's for ah – sicuraty... We told babua, there was no need, who's going to harm us, but...Nandkishore, he's a nice man. And his name is Gopal, too. Very nice man..."

Gopal stood up as Arnav entered. "Morning sir," the man said, a little sheepishly, tea and a plate of samosas in front of him.

Arnav nodded. "Is it just you here?"

"Yes sir. I mean, I'm here in the mornings. There are three of us doing 8 hour shifts."

Arnav nodded again. The security people at Shantivan were barely visible, it was such a big house.

"I hope it's not been inconvenient for you, having them here," he said, taking Buaji aside. "Aman and Akash felt that we should take no chances, after what happened."

"Oh no, not at all. They're all very nice men," Buaji said graciously. "We have no problem at all."

"We have to talk, Buaji. Maybe in Uncle-Aunty's room?"

Buaji looked flustered at this. "Babua, what is wrong? Did Sankadevi do something?"

"Not at all Buaji. But – everyone needs to be there. Can you tell Aunty? Uncle should be there too..." he caught Khushi's eye. She nodded grimly.

They huddled in his in-laws' room. The women sat on the bed, looking anxious. Sashi uncle was next to them on his chair. Khushi and Arnav faced them.

Arnav looked at Khushi. She cleared her throat. "We told everyone at Shantivan that we are going to Mussoorie, for a holiday," Khushi began. "Only Jijaji and Jiji know we are here."

The women began to speak, but Arnav interrupted them. "I know about Shyam," he said.

This silenced everyone, except Sashi uncle, who let out a moan. "Babuji?" Khushi hurried over to her father.

Garima Aunty recovered from her shock at Arnav's words, and turned to Khushi. "Its okay, Khushi, he's gotten a bit better, he's been trying to say a few words here and there lately..."