Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai | ArShi Short Story

Chapter 4

Shashi Gupta was the happiest when he was surrounded by his family, especially his daughters. Ever since their girls left for Delhi, Garima and he felt a deep void in their lives, it had felt like a part of their hearts were missing. It only took a short discussion before they mutually decided to surprise their daughters in Delhi, because it had been too long since they had last seen them.

In many ways, Delhi was quite different from Lucknow, but despite it all, Shashi was content because he was reunited with his children, especially during Diwali, one of their favourite festivals. As he strolled towards their home alongside his family, he thought of Khushi, his Chutki. She had been invited to her boss' Diwali party, so she had not joined them to their neighbour's house for Diwali celebrations. A sense of uneasiness washed over him without warning and before he could ponder about it, his eyes registered the police vehicles and ambulance in the midst of a crowd that had gathered outside his sister's house.

Instantly, confusion, worry and dread raced through his veins as he whispered, "Chutki." He turned to his wife, sister and elder daughter beside him, their faces mirroring his fear. He swiftly leapt forward with his family close behind, as they pushed their way through the crowd to reach their home.

His eyes searched through the sea of strangers, yearning to see his daughter's face. He anxiously called out, "Khushi? Where are you Khushi? What's going on here?..."

Shashi felt a hand touch his shoulder, he turned around to see an unfamiliar man standing before him. He noticed his disheveled state, his shirt, stained in blood and his eyes, bloodshot.

Helplessness was a feeling that Arnav was well acquainted with since his teenage years. He felt helpless when he saw his parents die in front of him devastating their family, resulting in his sister's broken alliance and his uncle forcefully uprooting them from the one place they called home. Right now, that familiar sense of helplessness seeped into Arnav's bones as he held an unconscious Khushi in his arms. 'Stay with me!'

Minutes later, the wails of sirens reverberated through the lanes of Laxmi Nagar. Arnav looked on inaudibly as the paramedics carefully shifted Khushi out of his arms and onto a stretcher.

"Mr. Raizada..." The police officer addressed him, breaking his reverie.

"Huh?" Arnav murmured as he caught a glimpse of the police officers hauling a battered Mitesh off to a police car.

Officer Sanhe repeated, "Mr. Raizada, I was saying that Mr. Mathur already briefed us, but we do need to record your official statement. You will need to come to the station with us."

"Okay!" Arnav nodded with his eyes trained on Khushi as the paramedics worked to stabilize her before they could move her to the ambulance.

"Khushi? Where are you Khushi? What's going on here?..."

As Arnav looked in the direction of the unfamiliar voice, he recognized Khushi's sister and aunt from the day he had brought her home after the mishap at the guesthouse. He excused himself from Officer Sanhe and walked outside to meet Khushi's family.

"A-arrnavji?" Payal inquired. He would have been the last person she would expect to see at their home. 'What was he doing here? Khushi? Where was-' Understanding the confusion on her father's face, Payal elaborated further, "Babuji, this is Khushi's boss, Arnavji..."

Arnav wearily nodded, "-Khushi- she's hurt. I dropped her home and left, I came back and when I came, she... someone... he was assaulting her... I- "