Reawakening

Part 12 - Journey

When Khushi returned home, she heard Buaji talking merrily on the phone, giving details of their next visit. "It is a wonderful place, they told us it is less busy at this time of the year,... No, we haven't booked the train tickets yet, Haan haan yes she is here, I will check if she has got her extra few days off.." and she raised her eyebrows to ask the question.

Khushi mouthed "Who is it.."

Buaji again asked, "Has your leave been sanctioned?"

"Yes Buaji it has been..!!" Khushi replied thinking of all possibilities as to who it could be.

"Buaji, how can you agree to go with them. You keep telling me not to get into rich people's business and now you have agreed?" Khushi truly did not want to go with them, when buaji told her about Nanis call. Try as hard as she could, her heart ached to see Lavanya and Arnav together, with Lavanya trying to cling on to ASR at every given opportunity. The Shyam fisaco had further made her tough, and Khushi did not want to do anything with them. Now she had no qualms about accepting her feeling towards him, but knew it would never be..

"Titaliya, anything Devyani ji asks, I cannot refuse her. Yet I tried, I did say we were not sure when we would go, but she was quite insistent. You know how hard it is to reject when someone requests with so much love. And we will always be grateful to her, if not for her, Nandkishore knows what would have happened.."

Khushi still tried her best, "But Buaji, you know I will have to finish work and then we will be going. We should not delay them unnecessarily " Khushi tried to argue.. only to fall on deaf ears.

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He had his own plans brewing in his head.. he had to set the wheel in motion now, it would help everyone in the long run.....

Akash had done a fair job in inspiring the family.. He had researched the place thoroughly. Beautiful scenic place, running next river Gomti. What better place can an city man ask for? Especially for his dear Anjali Di, who was trying to come to terms with what has happened in her life, a change in environment is a welcome break.

Akash suggested, "Dadi while we are there, Di can look into changing the decor of Sheesh Mahal. Owing to time, you know Bhai had only managed to do a few basic bits" This suggestion backed by his mum sat very well with Nani.

Nani's long wish to visit the dargah had to be fulfilled. .... of course Akash made sure that was reminded..

It was decided the Raizada's would visit Lucknow except Mami who preferred to stay back to look after her husband. The family was to stay at Sheesh Mahal and visit Shashi while they were there. Nani made sure Khushi and Buaji hadn't bought the train tickets and to go with them.

The family was disappointed Lavanya was not accompanying them. La thought this was the best opportunity to exit when everyone was leaving and keep extending the stay until all were aware of the facts.

"Di, I will be gone only for a few days.. I will come back when you are all back" she told Anjali, who, though did not like it, agreed without any arguments.

Lavanya did not leave the chance to tease her friend Mami quietly, "Mami ji you want the whole house for your self to spend with your husbaaand, hello hai to husbaaand and Bye bye to all".. Mami opened her mouth, eyes .. "Ms.Kashyap.. that's bhy(why) I like you, I have got this chance after 25 years!!"

Nani however was not convinced with Lavanya. She knew there was more to it than the eye could see and the long chat Lavanya had with Nani had confirmed her fears. Nani was heart broken, but she understood where she was coming from and she definitely couldn't force these things..