Making Her Mine- An IPKKND story.

Chapter 50 - Ties

When they finally came downstairs, it was close to dinner time, but no one was eating. They were all sitting in the living area, still in shock.

When Arnav led Di down the stairs, everyone looked up, concern writ large on their faces.

Aman, the only non-family member among them, leapt from his seat, and came towards them.

"Everything okay, sir?" He asked.

"Everything is fine, Amanji," Di said, more steadily than Arnav imagined possible. She stumbled on the last step, and Aman was there, extending an arm, steadying her, asking her if she was all right.

"So, what has happened? Have they arrested him?" Di asked, with disconcerting calmness.

"Er – yes." Aman said. "Just a moment ago, I got the call from ACP Dubey. They'll bring him to Delhi now, and –"

Anjali raised a hand. "I don't need to know the details. Amanji, will you tell Mr Roy to draw up divorce papers? And Chotay –" she turned to Arnav, who was staring at her in amazement. "call Khushiji. Bring her home. I want to talk to her."

Arnav lifted his phone to his ear, involuntarily, and snapping himself back, dialed Khushi's number. She picked up on the first ring.

"Arnav ji! Is everything okay?"

"Uh. Yeah, I'm coming to get you. Get ready."

-

"Did she believe you?" Khushi asked when she opened the door, letting Arnav in.

"I didn't think she wouldn't believe me," Arnav said.

"You – what? But – how is she?"

"She ordered divorce papers."

"Oh... And you?"

He sighed, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "I don't know. This was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life. I thought she —" he stopped himself. "She says she wants to talk to you."

They made their way back to Shantivan, after assuring a troubled Buaji and Garima Aunty that everything seemed okay. For now.

Khushi went straight to his sister's room when they arrived, Arnav following closely at her heels. Di had removed her jewelry, her mangalsutra and sindoor.

"I want to talk to Khushiji alone, Chotay," she said when she saw the two of them together. Arnav and Khushi exchanged glances.

"Oh. Er –"

"I want to talk to her alone."

Khushi nodded at him, looking a little nervous. He tried to nod back, unsure of what to do. Would Di blame Khushi, for whatever Shyam had done? No, that's not who his Di was. She was a thousand times better person than him. Would she blame Khushi for keeping it a secret? Probably not, she hadn't blamed him. What did she want to talk to Khushi alone about?

"Chotay." Di said, her voice firm. He had no choice. He left.

It was hours before Khushi returned to the room. Hari Prakash had left him a tray of food, he had nibbled on it to take his medicine, and then had begun pacing.

"What happened?" Arnav asked Khushi as soon as she entered, her eyes red.

"Nothing," she said.

"Khushi! Is everything okay? What did you talk about?"

"Everything is fine, Arnavji," she said, giving him a small smile.

He frowned at her.

"We just talked. Di told me that she had sent you to the Dargah in Lucknow. That mannat was hers, not yours. But it was for you. She wished for your happiness. I told her how I met you there. And how I kept the key."