ARSHI: MY LIPSTICK GIRL

PART - 9

The next morning, Kushi got up and went to her father's room. It was 5:30 am. She knocked the door and went in. Garima went out to the temple to do her morning pooja.

Shashi: Come in Kushi.

Kushi: Why did you call me?

Yesterday, while Kushi was sleeping, Shashi called her and said her that he wants to meets her at 5:30 am as he will go out soon that day.

Shashi: Sit near me.

Kushi: Just say what you want to say.

Shashi: Kushi, am very sorry.

Kushi looked at him with shock.

Kushi: Why are... you sor...ry?

Shashi: I know Kushi what is happening in your life.

Kushi looked at his shockingly but then asked angrily,

Kushi: What do you know? What do you know about me? You know nothing about me. You know zero about me. All matters to you is the money. You failed to be my father. If you have loved me, I would not be in this position now.

Kushi stood up from the bed and turned making him face her back. She hid her tears. She thought about the recent happenings. She fell in love with Aakash because she felt a father's love from him.

Shashi: I know everything, beta. I am guilty for making you like this. I love you but I failed to openly show you.

Kushi: No, you don't.

Shashi: I am very sorry for you and Aakash.

Kushi: How do you know?

Shashi: I know everything.

Kushi: Did Ratna aunty tell my mom?

Shashi: She don't know anything but I know. Do you really love Aakash really? It could be an infatuation.

Kushi: As I said you knew nothing about me. You won't know about these things of you ever loved your family. Aakash is a person that any girl will fall for. He is the one who took care of me and loved me. He loved me and cared for me like a FATHER, unlike you.

Shashi felt his eyes tearing up hearing her words. He knew that how much Kushi hate him. Shashi is a person who doesn't know to show his love and care. He was grown up in such a situation where he failed to gain love and care. His world revolved that he can live only if they had money. So, he grew up to be like this and was more particular on spending money unnecessarily. He somehow knew about his daughter's doings. So, when he came to know how she is craving for a father's love and that she fell into Aakash's charms and she was hurt back with Aakash's hurtful words, he felt guilty.

Shashi wiped his tears near his eyes before it could fall. Kushi was shocked to see him tearing up but then she acted like she didn't care. Shashi suddenly hugged her and said,

Shashi: Kushi, I am really sorry but hereafter, I will never fail you. I will always be with you and will make you that you don't fall into trap earning for father's love.

Kushi was shocked to hear this, she started weeping and beat him on his chest.

Kushi: Why? Why papa? Why were you like this? Do you know how much I was longing for your love? Do you know how much I have been jealous on my friends who was having a loving father? I would lie to all saying that everything has been bought by my father but it was utter lie. It was all bought by Aakash or myself.

Shashi: I am sorry. I grew up like that. But here after I will never be like that. I promise.

After Kushi stopped weeping, she hugged him again and asked,

Kushi: Promise you will always be my side?

Shashi: I will.

He kissed her forehead.

Kushi: If you are like that, then I will never go in search of any love.

Shashi chuckled at his baby daughter.

Kushi: Papa, how do you know about me?

Shashi: You will come to know that in the evening. I have to speak to you about an important matter.

Kushi: Sure papa.

Shashi: We will go for a dinner tonight.

Kushi: Really?

Shashi: Yes, you, me and mother.

Kushi: Thank you, papa

Shashi: Do you still love Aakash?

Kushi: I do but now I don't want him. He... he thought I am a gol... d digger.

She started to cry but then Shashi patted her back.

Kushi: I haven't thought that he will speak so ill of me. I thought, not at least as a lover but as a friend, he would have understood me but no.

She weeped silently.

Shashi: Okay, now leave. Evening, we will have a good chat and I want you to consider what am going to say.

Kushi: What's that?

Shashi: Surprise.

Kushi: Papa, you know what? I love surprises but I can't bear it too long.

Shashi chuckled and he got up and went for his work soon today. Kushi forgot everything happened and she was too happy now. She felt that she won the world. She thought about her mother's words about her father.

Kushi: Seems he have suffered a way lot.

Kushi went to her room to continue her sleep.

Arnav was thinking about Kushi while working out for his body. He felt very sad for Kushi. He would have never spoken ill to her but he did unknown to him. He didn't know how did he end up scolding Kushi twice. It's his prestige. He was very particular about his prestige, his name and fame. But now, he totally regrets it. He saw Aakash sitting there silently without working out. He knew he too is thinking about Kushi.

Arnav: Aaku?

Aakash: Bhai, will she forgive me?

Arnav: But she needs time. Leave her on her own, she will come back to you.

Aakash: But I know she won't. I know about her.

Arnav: No, if you knew about her then why did you speak like that?

Aakash: I don't know. I couldn't bear when he I thought she was lying that I too love her.

Arnav: Now leave it. Apologise and give her sometime to get healed.

He nodded and went as he didn't have the heart to do any work. Arnav was thinking something very deeply.

Shashi was going on the bus thinking about his daughter. He was on the way to his nearby city but then suddenly, everything got collapsed. It was accident. The bus was hit by another bus and it got collapsed. Shashi too was in the same bus. Thinking of his daughter, he closed his eyes. His body was covered with blood. His face got smashed in the bus. He was unidentified. Not only him, many people died because of the accident. Shashi was one among them. The police came to the spot. The news spread like a fire. It was a dangerous accident.

Kushi was sleeping peacefully and Garima came there running to the room.

Garima: Wake up, Kushi. Wake up.

Kushi: Don't shout mom.

Garima: Your fathe... r, accident.

Kushi: Mom, what are you saying?

Garima: Your father met an accident.

Kushi: How do you know?

Garima(crying): News...

*SMASH THE VOTE BUTTON*

To be continued...

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Dated: 12-11-2020

Yours,

Lily