"Sale Sahab you go to your room.. I'll talk with Rani Sahiba," Shyam said as he stood up and patted a lost Arnav's shoulder lightly.
"No. Let him take the decision here in front of me Shyam ji.. otherwise Khushi-"
"Don't say anything about Khushi Di. This was my decision and she supported me. She stood by my side in front of everyone in the family and that really means a lot to me. I won't hear a word against my wife.. And I won't change my decision of moving to another house," Arnav said determinedly.
"You look like a stranger to me now.. My Chote wasn't like this.. My Chote would never leave me alone.. You only told me that you don't care about anyone in this world except me.. You said to me - You're my world Di - and now you're leaving your World?" Anjali cried, "I don't have anything against Khushi.. but you can't deny that after she came into your life, you've changed.. You're not the same anymore.. now you even celebrate your birthday!"
"Oh come on Di.. You're jealous of Khushi now?" Arnav furrowed his brows, especially after hearing the last sentence.
"No.. I'm not jealous!" she yelled.
"Rani Sahiba calm down.. We had talked about this matter yesterday. What's wrong with you? Why are you bringing this matter again?" Shyam sighed hard.
"Yes, you're jealous and you're being selfish as well.. When you got married to Jija ji, he was your priority, you used to think about him day and night, wait for him to come back from office and have dinner with him. Unknowingly, you also left me alone Di.. but I've never complained to you about this because I understood that he's your husband and that was new phase of your life. I respected the fact that your world doesn't revolve around me anymore. I respected the fact that you're a married woman and I couldn't expect you to ignore your husband and take care of me day and night like a baby. Now tell me, if I behaved like you in the past, would you leave your husband for me? Would you give more attention to me than him?.. If your answer is No, then don't come to question my decision of leaving this house with my wife."
Arnav walked out of the room leaving Anjali speechless. Shyam just shook his head in disbelief at his wife's outburst.
************************************************************************
"Khushi," Arnav approached her at the poolside, as he stood behind her and circled his arms around her waist, dropping a kiss on her shoulder, "I'm sorry that-"
"It's okay Arnav ji.. I don't have any problem staying with our family or just with you.. You're my home only.. the place doesn't matter to me," Khushi said softly, resting the back of her head on his shoulder, "I already expected Di to be upset with this decision of yours.. and you feeling guilty about this. I don't want to make you chose between your sister and me.. So I don't have any problem if you gave up the idea of moving to another house. You don't need to apologize to me Arnav ji."
"Well.. I was saying sorry because I spoke about this matter at a wrong time and spoiled the family dinner and everyone's mood!" Arnav smirked, "And I still stick to my decision.. We will move to another house. In fact, tomorrow only I will look after this matter."
Khushi turned to face him, wide eyed and mouth slightly open trying to register what he had just said, "Did you.. Did you convince Di?"
Arnav nodded sideways, "We already talked with our family, saw their reactions and heard their opinions.. but the last decision will be ours, Khushi.. Not Di's, Nani's or anyone's decision."
"Won't Di feel bad?" Khushi asked.
Arnav shrugged, "One day she'll understand Khushi. I just followed what my heart told me to. What happens tomorrow.. I don't know. But I'm relieved that I did what I wanted to. For sometime, I was letting the guilt of leaving Di consume me and I wanted to give up.. but when she took your name.. I came back to my senses."
Khushi stared lovingly at him.
"I was so surprised to see taking a stand for me Khushi," he cupped her face, "I love to see this side of yours.. which you always hide from everyone."
"I don't hide-"
"Of course you do Khushi.. You only show this side of yours to strangers.. remember when we didn't know about each other, you used to always take a stand for yourself and give it back to me. Now that you're my wife.. you don't do that often. Basically, when people become close to you, you don't want to hurt them so you keep sacrificing your happiness for them, right?"
"Right," Khushi whispered as she realized how he observed and understood her relation with strangers and closed ones.
"Then I've to say that I like your behavior with me when I was stranger to you," Arnav said.
Khushi raised her eyebrows, "Oh really? You want me to keep fighting with you all the time?"
Arnav shook his head, "You understood what I wanted to say!"
"Okay Arnav ji.. I understood.. You want me to be strong, take a stand for myself and follow what my heart says.. Not the like the old TV serials Bahu (Daughter in law)," Khushi smiled circling her arms around his neck.
"Exactly," she earned a kiss on her cheek as a reward from Arnav. He was glad she understood what he had to say because he never wanted her to lose her essence. She's his Sanka Devi and she should continue to be like that.. Somewhere she was losing herself after marriage and he had noticed it.
"What did your parents say Khushi? I went to my room at that time and didn't even bid them goodbye," Arnav asked.
"Babu ji, Nani, Mama and Mami understood why we want to move to another house. They said they don't have any problem with our decision and I was really relieved after what they said to me. Only Amma was extremely worried because she thought everyone would blame me for separating you and Di and it would create problems in the family.. Babu ji was trying to explain to her, but she didn't listen to him.. I'm sure she won't even sleep peacefully today thinking about me," Khushi said.
"I will call her to explain everything," Arnav assured.
Khushi hugged him, running her fingers softly through the back of his hair, "You don't need to Arnav ji I will talk with Amma later.. You should take rest. I know you'll not say anything to me but you're still upset with Di. You're still thinking about her."
Arnav buried his face on the crook of her neck.
Precap: 2 months leap.
