At night.
On Raizada's insistence Shashi and Garima stayed back to have dinner with the family, while Jenny's parents left to meet with Aman.
Arnav cleared his throat, glancing at his family, then at Khushi as he thought that this would be the right time to tell them about his plan to shift to another house.
"Arnav bitwa," Nani looked at him questioningly, as she guessed Arnav wanted to say something, "Do you want to say something?"
Arnav nodded and everyone at the dining room shifted their attention to him, "Actually Nani.. I've talked with Khushi today and we've agreed that we should move to another house....."
"What?" Anjali gasped.
Nani, Mami and Mama looked at him confused while Garima, Shashi and Shyam were just numb.
"Chote have you gone mad? What rubbish is this? And Khushi you also supported him in this stupid decision," Anjali frowned unable to keep her disappointment at bay.
"What happened Chote? Have we done something wrong with You.. or even Khushi bitiya?" Nani asked worriedly.
Arnav shook his head immediately as a response to Nani.
"Why is this a stupid decision Di? We're newly wed couple and we need our privacy, we need to learn how to manage our lives together, we need to learn to understand and know each other.. Shifting to another house, doesn't mean we want to stay away or don't love our family anymore.. It simply means that me and Arnav ji have decided to have our own home like many others couple do. I don't think there's anything stupid in this decision," Khushi spoke seriously.
Garima gasped, she eyed Shashi gesturing him to stop Khushi. Shashi shrugged and blinked his eyes, "Let them handle it."
"But what will Raizada think of us? That we taught Khushi to disrespect elders.. We taught her to separate her husband from his family?" Garima whispered to him with moist eyes, already worried about the consequences.
"Garima this is Arnav bitwa and Khushi bitiya's decision.. they're a married couple and we should not interfere on their matters. As I said, they'll handle it!" Shashi said.
"I can't believe this.. I seriously can't," Anjali stood up from her chair, shaking her head in disbelief as her eyes moistened staring at Arnav, "You've changed a lot Chote.. We were always your priority, right? What happened now? You always used to say.. Di I will never leave you and my family.. and today.. You just-" she couldn't control her sobs anymore and left the dining hall wiping away her tears. Shyam followed her immediately.
The hall turned silent, with some lost in their thoughts and some shocked not knowing what to say.
"Hello hi bye bye.. I never expects this shockingwa breaking news!" Manorama said with open mouth.
"Manorama be quiet," Mama whispered to her.
Arnav too left the dining hall and went directly to his room. The words said by his sister and the tears in her eyes successfully managed to break his heart and make him doubt about his own decision. He had promised to take care of her all his life. Was he really abandoning her?!
Khushi stayed back with Raizadas and Guptas.
"Nani-"
"Khushi bitiya you don't need to explain anything to me. I understand.. and I don't think you both took a wrong decision.. Yes, it came as a shock to us because we're not expecting to hear this from Chote but I've no problem with you and Chote moving to another house," Nani cut her off, blinking her eyes with an understanding look.
"Thank you Nani for understanding," Khushi smiled a little, feeling relieved.
"But what is the problem to stay with your in laws Khushi?" despite Shashi warning Garima to stay out of this matter, she couldn't control herself.
"Amma-"
"Garima there is no problem at all.. Khushi bitiya already explained it clearly to Anjali bitiya. They are newly wed couple and they need their privacy," Nani interrupted.
"Hello hi bye bye.. Sasuma became modernwa.. she understands now that every couple needs pricy (privacy)" Mami chuckled.
"I was always aware of this Manorama. Perhaps you forgot, but I even asked to Manohar if he preferred to live separately with you after marriage or not," Nani narrowed her eyes at Mami. Mami pouted and stayed quiet.
"It's getting late.. I think we should leave.. Jiji must be waiting for us," Shashi said politely, as he stood up from his chair. Garima did the same.
"We're really sorry Shashi.. the dinner turned out to be like this," Nani sighed staring at the almost empty dinning hall.
"It's okay.. We do understand," saying this, Khushi accompanied her parents to the kitchen, then till the door.
Garima looked at Khushi worriedly, "Khushi you should convince Arnav bitwa to drop this idea.. Don't support his decisions. It will only create problems in the family. And you'll be blamed for this."
"Garima," Shashi looked at her sternly, "Khushi and Arnav bitwa are matured enough to know how to take decisions of their life."
"Haan Amma.."
"What Amma?" she frowned with tears in her eyes, "Didn't you see how Anjali reacted? I'm sure she will accuse you of separating them. You'll be blamed for this Khushi bitiya.. try to understand what I'm saying."
"I already expected this reaction from Di.. but don't worry Amma, I'm sure Arnav ji will make her understand why we took this decision."
"This girl doesn't understand-"
"Garima enough," Shashi widened his eyes, "We should leave now. Bye Khushi bitiya. Take care and always listen to your heart, don't get influenced by others," Shashi kissed Khushi's forehead.
Khushi nodded, "Ji Babu ji." Shashi always gave the best advice to her whenever she needed the most.
************************************************************************
Anjali's room:
"Di.." Arnav stood at the door of her room, staring brokenly at her devastated state while Shyam trying to calm her down.
Anjali looked away sobbing, "Shyam ji tell him that I don't want to talk with him."
Shyam looked at Arnav helplessly. Arnav sighed walking in the room, "Di my love for you will never end even if I move to another house."
"It will end after you leave from here only.. You won't even remember me," Anjali frowned.
"What rubbish Di,"
"After Ma's death you promised to be with me always and forever. Now you're breaking that promise. I know you love Khushi more than me now. But I never expected this from you Chote," Anjali said, as more tears made way to her cheeks, she looked at him accusingly.
"Di-"
"Please don't say anything... You'll not be able to justify what you did Chote. The least you can do now give up of this idea of moving to another house," Anjali said.
"Rani Sahiba don't emotional blackmail him," Shyam widened his eyes in disbelief.
Arnav found himself in a dilemma now. His Wife or his Sister?!
Khushi, who stood at the door frame and overheard the last part of the conversation, already knew Arnav has started having second thoughts about their decision just by looking at his face.
She lowered her head and left from there with baby steps.
