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Part 13 Jovial Stage

Arnav was driving the car.

"I have no heart to leave Aashi, baby," said Ratna.

Arnav smiled.

"How cute she is...!"

"Not only cute but also clever", Arnav said.

"I can't believe how easily she adopts the new circumstance..."

"I don't think she does that with everyone. She is bewitched with your stories..." Arnav chuckled.

"Maybe... thank God, I know many stories..." Ratna said.

"Why are you so fond of her?"

"I like girl babies... I wished you to be a girl baby... but I got you," she sighed.

"You should have tried again..." Arnav laughed.

Ratna hit his shoulder, smiling.

"By the way, you, too, seem interested in them... don't you?"

"She is Payal's friend after all... Payal requested that I take care of Khushi because she could not help her. Payal is guilty because Khushi came to India only in the hope of Payal and Akash. That's why I'm helping her, -Mom."

"That's good they have you..."

"I have to find a good house for her soon. I don't get a good vibe when seeing her house owner."

"I, too, will check in our surroundings..."

"Go ahead..."

........

On the other side,

Akash rushed to Payal's cabin.

"What happened, Akash?"

"I saw Pramod in our hospital."

"Is it?"

"Yes, see there..." he showed the CCTV footage.

Payal saw Pramod sitting in the corridor.

"I think he is waiting for Khushi", Akash said.

Payal nodded yes.

"What will we do now?"

Payal thought, closing her eyes. Akash looked at the CCTV footage and didn't find Pramod in the corridor. He saw him advancing to Payal's cabin.

"He is coming," Akash said.

Taking a deep breath, Payal leaned on the seat. She gestured for Akash to sit. He did that.

They heard a knock on the door.

"Yes..." Said Payal.

Pramod opened the door and asked,

"May I come in?" he came in before Payal permitted.

"Yes?"

"Can't you identify me?" Pramod asked.

"Did you come for the consultation before?" Payal asked as if she didn't identify him.

"I'm Pramod. Anjali's brother."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"I'm not a patient."

"Then, why are you here?"

"I'm here to meet Khushi."

"Why? Is it not enough to ruin her life?"

"I'm here to make it right."

"Right? If you have something called respect, don't you dare go in front of Khushi..." Payal sneered.

"Yeah, I heard she is not like before. That's what makes me curious to meet her."

"If you want to meet her, go to her house. Why are you here?"

"I know she would be with you."

"No, she is not with me..."

"Ok, where is she?"

"I'm not owe to answer you. Get out"

"Why are you getting hyper? Don't you want your friend to be happy in her life?"

"You guys just stay away from her. She will be happy."

"But, it seems she is not ready to stay away from us. She is keen to revenge us... she told that to Sheetal."

"So? So what?"

"I want to talk to her. I can change everything if she is ready to marry me."

Payal was stuck for a while and laughed. Akash also joined Payal. Pramod looked at them with confusion. He expected them to get angry with him, but they laughed.

"Why are you laughing?"

Payal pressed the bell, laughing, without answering. A compounder came to her room.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Call the security and throw him out of this madman," she said.

Pramod looked at her shockingly.

"Didn't you hear what madam said? Leave the place," The compounder said, clutching his hand.

Shrugging his hands, Pramod walked out.

Payal called Khushi and told her about Pramod. Khushi gritted her teeth.

"How dare he talk about marrying me?"

"Leave it, Khushi... he is Moron, but be careful."

"Mmm... I will take care of him."

"What are you going to do, Khushi?"

"I'm planning about it. I will tell you once I'm done."

"ok. How is Aashi?"

"She is sad."

"Why?"

"Arnav and Ratna aunty came here. After they left, she became sad."

"It seems she became close to them?"

"They are so nice. I didn't expect I would get such support in India."

"Yeah, he is a powerful support. His circle is vast."

"Mmm... Arashi's school principal flattered Arnav like anything."

"Is it? How does he know Arnav?"

"His wife is working in Arnav's company."

"Oh... then, he would flatter..." Payal chuckled.

"Ok, Payal... will meet you tomorrow."

"Be ready to face Pramod"

"Always..."

"That's good. Bye"

"Bye..." Khushi disconnected the call.

Night

Arnav was lying on the bed. That was when Arnav's phone rang. He smiled, seeing Khushi's number. He attended the call.

"Hi, Khushi..."

"This is not HAPPINESS but SMILE," Said Aashi, giggling.

Arnav smiled.

"I smiled hearing your name... that means I'm happy. So, happiness and smile are not different, Ms. Smile..."

"No... sometimes, Mom smiles while crying..." Aashi said, wiping Arnav's smile.

That was when Arnav heard,

"Aashu, with whom are you talking?"

"I'm talking with Mr Puzzle."

"But why?"

"I want to talk to him. That's why."

"We should not trouble him, Baby."

"Am I troubling you?" She asked Arnav.

"Not at all... you are a nice girl. I like you so much. So, I won't feel it as trouble."

"Thank you, Mr. Puzzle. Do you know why I called you?"

"To say good night?"

"I will say that before cutting the call. I called you to call you."

"Means?"

"Will you come tomorrow before I go to school?" She pleaded cutely.

Arnav raised his brows, pressing his lips.

"Please, if Nandkishor's Dad had been here, he would have come with me, but he is not here. Won't you come with me?"

"I will... I will surely come for my cute little friend," Arnav said.

"Thank you, Mr Puzzle"

Before Aashi disconnected the call, Khushi extended her hand, asking for the phone.

"Mr Puzzle, happiness wants to talk to you", she giggled and handed the phone to Khushi.

"Arnav..."

"Tell me, Khushi"

"I'm sorry for troubling you, Arnav."

"Hey, she is a kid after all..."

"Thank you so much."

"It's my pleasure. See you tomorrow."

"Bye"

Arnav disconnected the call smilingly. His smile vanished when he recalled what Aashi said about Khushi's smile. He didn't seem it simple. If it were so, Aashi would not have felt sad about it. Aashi was happy while talking about her Dad. Then what would be Khushi's problem? Why was this woman so Mistry? Instead of naming him Mr Puzzle, Khushi should be named Mrs Puzzle. It would suit her well. Arnav thought.

The next day

Arnav picked up Aashi and Khushi and headed to the school. Sitting on Khushi's lap, Aashi looked at Arnav constantly. Arnav looked at her and smiled.

"What happened, Ms. Smile? Why are you looking at me?"

"It's because I like you so much."

"Oh, wow... what a great reward..." Arnav smiled.

"She never got close to anyone so far," Khushi said.

"Mom also never got close to anyone..." Aashi snapped.

Arnav looked at Khushi smilingly, who pulled Aashi's hair sportively.

"It's not aching..." Aashi cackled.

"Oh, really? Let me pull your hair harder."

"You can't..." Aashi tickled Khushi.

"Hey... Stop," Khushi held her hands.

"You became naughty, Aashi..."

Aashi bit Khushi's nose and again giggled.

"It seems someone is happy to go to school..." Arnav asked.

"I'm happy because I'm going to school with you."

Arnav smiled.

"Thank you, Mr. Puzzle..."

"You are welcome, Ms. Smile"

They reached the school. Khushi and Arnav brought Aashi to her class. Arnav waved his hand and was supposed to leave; Aashi gestured for him to bend down. Arnav bent in front of her. She kissed his cheek and rushed, giggling. Khushi wondered. Aashi never got close to anyone physically. She didn't even touch Akash.

Arnav bit his lip, raising his brows. Khushi controlled her laughter, seeing his expression.

"Let's go", Khushi said smilingly.

Arnav followed her. Khushi looked at him, controlling her smile.

"Arnav... why are you reacting like this? She is just a kid," Khushi teased.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"I don't know how Aashi became fond of you..."

"What's there to wonder? Children like NICE guys," Arnav said, controlling his laughter.

"Whom you are talking about Arnav?" Khushi asked, not controlling her laughter.

Arnav laughed and said,

"This is how a good friend would talk... I mean, tease..."

"Don't be so generous, Arnav... you will regret then..."

"No way... because I, too, know to tease, madam..."

"Then it will be fun for sure."

Arnav extended his hand towards her. Khushi clutched his hand and shook.

"Where do you want me to drop you?"

"I'm going to the hospital..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah..."

Arnav drove the car towards the hospital. They spoke jovial. The gap between them started erasing slowly. Both of them liked one another's company and felt content.

To be continued...