Reawakening

Part 21 - Envy

No sooner had Mami accepted, Anjali saw herself going excitedly to her brother's room, only to find him agitated and pacing round his room... really upset "Nobody ever bothers to tell me anything. And Khushi? Talk to her and she goes on with a big lecture!!"

"Chote... chote.. have you heard" he frowned with the disturbance.

"Di, if you don't tell me, how will I know?" Even the excited face of his Di did not bring any joy to the irritated man..

"Congratulations... Mami has agreed"

Well this did bring a smile on his face. It was in deed a good news. Seeing his brothers sullen mood last few months was depressing for the whole family, and to Arnav who did everything to keep his family happy did not like it when he was unable fix it with anything....

"Di, for once your excitement is justified. " he very heartily hugged his sister

"Congratulations Di, we must inform Akash and ask him to come over immediately." Both sat down discussing the news when he suddenly came with, "Di, you know what, knowing their Buaji, it is better we go there ASAP and get this deal, otherwise, you know how she is."

"Chote, you will not leave your habit. What did you think? This is some kind of a business? But like you said, we should speak to the elders and get their word. I just hope they wont have any problems." Anjali corrected her brother.

"Problem? Really Di, what problem will they have, I'm sure they will be glad and immediately agree? They will never find anybody better for Payal" Arnav did not fail to show his arrogance to his sister.

"You still don't understand them Chote. They value relations of the heart more than your money or status. If they wanted to, they could have done so many things... anyway leave it" she was sad with her brother's attitude, but stopped when they saw their Nani too had come to the room now.

Nani however had come there for a reason. To see what his reaction would be.. "Chote, you must make sure this marriage happens without any problems." Looking at Anjali she continued, "You know Anjali, I am a bit disappointed though. Madhumati was planning on getting the sisters married in the same family. Now, we don't have anybody in our family, so they might just give Khushi bitiya's hand to the other family itself.."

Arnav stared at his Nani, while Anjali took the cue and said "Well Nani we could have got Khushi also into out family if only" and both Anjali and Nani at Arnav

"What, why do you look at me like that?" He tried to stay cool, but Anjali said, "No no, we did not mean you," to which Nani gave huge nods. But Anjali suddenly changed her tone, "Chote I do know how much you dislike Khushi. I know how you have reacted every time I tried to call her home, you were furious when I first called her to train Lavanya, and in fact Khushi ji also did not want to be there when you were home. I still remember the harsh words you spoke when we tried to bring back Khushi to help for your engagement.. How much you hated.... "

The painful memories and Khushi's tearful eyes made his heart ache. "Di" he whispered softly to stop her narrating his despicable behaviour.

Nani abruptly interrupted with all excitement, "Anjali, I was thinking of NK. Khushi and NK's jodi (couple) will be really good. Both of them are fun loving and full of life. It will be fabulous.. "

Anjali now having caught on with the excitement again literally shouted "Nani you are a genius. Oh two weddings... I will message NK straight away and ask him to come early for Akash's wedding.. so that he can get time to spend time with Khushi"

"What the, Why are you all behind Khushi. Leave her alone, how do you know she wants to get married?" Arnav spoke with rather resentment only to get odd stares. He tried to justify with, "I don't think Khushi wants to get married. It's just her family and now you both behind her.. "