Part 24

Khushi was checking the accounts when Arnav reached there. Khushi took a long sigh after seeing Arnav but understood he was there to talk something serious from his facial expression.

"Khushi" Arnav called .The simple name uttered as if she was the whole world to him. Khushi could feel the intensity of his feelings just with the way he called her.

"What happened Arnavji? Are you worried about something?" She may have grudges against him but the emotions she has suppressed resurfaced seeing his face with worry lines.

"Are you free now. Can we talk?" Khushi nodded her hear asking him to carry on. Arnav dragged the chair opposite her to be near.

"What is it Arnavji?" Khushi asked

"Jijaji is planning to move out of Shanthivan with Di. I am afraid Khushi what if Di agree to him? What if her refusal lead to more problems between them? I don't understand why he even wants to move out of shanthivan. It's their home too .so why did he want to go leaving their family?" Arnav knows If at all someone could put sense into him in dealing with emotions ,then it's her.

"Arnavji,first of all he is just planning. They haven't decided anything. Even if they decided to settle in another house, what is the problem in that?"

"Khushi how can you say that? Khushi she is my responsibility. I have promised my mama that I will take care of her" Arnav said as if she was asking the most idiotic question.

"I understand you have promised to take care of her. You have to realize she is a married woman. You should take responsibility of her as a brother not a guardian .She is old enough to manage her own life. You can't always cocoon her in a happy bubble without letting her take her responsibility. She is not just your sister but Shyamji's wife too. She is responsible for his welfare.

I am sorry to say this but Anjaliji has been always hiding behind the world you created for her .She is elder to you. She was old enough and was getting married. She was ready to take the responsibility of a family when she agreed for the marriage but when the tragedy happened in your life she took a back seat .She let you took the lead where it should have been her role. But let us just think that she was too shocked with everything .But tell me Arnavji ,why did Shyamji found a family in us when he was staying in a home full of people. Why was Anjaliji unaware of his problems. Why didn't she bother about his absence from home for days? Have you ever thought about it?

Don't say me she thought it was work. She was happy in the world you created that she was not bothered about anything else. She do love Shyamji but love is not everything in a relationship. It should also come with empathy, compassion , trust, understanding and responsibility. Ask your self Arnavji ,Didn't she failed in some of them?"

Arnav knows the answer .Yes ,his sister somewhere failed in understanding and her responsibility as a wife.

"Arnavji it's not just her but Shyamji too had failed. He didn't trust her with his emotions. I am not saying it's just them. We are humans driven by emotions. We make mistakes but we learn from them. Arnavji I think that is what Shyamji is doing. He is trying to strengthen their relationship. He wanted to take her responsibility, build a family with her .Arnavji in santhivan you bear all the expenses, you make decisions which you think is better for your family, you do things for their happiness. And in all this you don't let others take their responsibilities. Shyamji is Anjaliji's husband .Doing things for her and securing their future is his right. I am not saying you don't have any responsibility. All you have to do is give her strength to carry out her duties, encourage her, assure her if something went wrong you will be there for her. You have to let her face the world. You can't always be her shield.

They will have children in future. They have to for grow as a family where Shyamji takes care of their needs. If you didn't let him do that, he will lose respect in their eyes. Tell me Arnavji if Anjaliji faces a problem whom does she approach first .You or Shyamji?I know it's you. How do you think Shyamji must be feeling with this?

After few days jiji will get married to Akashji. How will be it when jiji comes running to us for every single thing? Think about what I said Arnavji. Analyze yourself and decide if you want to interfere in their decision.

"I have some work to finish ..."Arnav took the cue and nodded his head. He was in thoughts about what Khushi said. He understands what khushi said but the over protective brother in him doesn't understand any of this.

After few days his whole family was sitting in living room including Shyam. They were selecting dresses and jewelry for them to wear on engagement .Anjali was engrossed in selecting sarees. Manorama and nani and Akash were selecting for themselves and Guptas .After a little while Anjali called out her chotte.

"Chotte what do you think about this saree" Arnav nodded not really interested in selecting them. He was checking some emails in his mobile.

This repeated for two more time that's when Arnav really looked at his di. Why the hell was she asking him. Her husband is just sitting near him. Not once he didn't hear her calling him. But brushed it thinking may be because he is running a fashion house. But he got a clear picture when Jewelry was selected. Anjali selected some jewelry for herself and said "chotte I am buying this". She didn't even ask Shyam at least once if he could buy it for her or even say him that she wants them. Not that he has problem in spending money for her but the expression in Shyam said it all. He was disappointed with Anjali asking her brother to buy her that .She believed buying things for her luxury is her brother's duty.

Arnav started realizing how his sister is taking things for granted. Khushi's words rang in his ears.

"Nani ask Hp to come and collect the check after you select". Arnav needed time to process things. So he quickly left to his room

Family was having breakfast when Nani discussed about the Pooja and ceremonies of the day of Akash and Payal's engagement.

"Anjali Bitiya... you informed panditji and what about the other arrangements?"

"Nani I have called panditji .I have asked buaji to send Khushiji to do the arrangements. I will ask her to help me. Don't you remember she did the arrangements for chote's and Lavanya's function which didn't happen unfortunately." Anjali answered with all smiles.

This caught Arnav's attention. What the hell does his sister think? Khushi has her own jobs to manage but here she wants to make Khushi do the things which she planned. Is Khushi her servant that she expects this?"

Before even he could say somethings Shyam beat him.

"Ranisahiba you know she have a job to do. You can't expect her to do things for you"

"Shyamji don't worry about that. I know Khushiji .She will manage that."

"Di You really think she will come and help you after what she experienced last time in this house."

"But she forgave us chotte" Anjali said with the smile still intact.

"Really. When? I don't remember she ever stepping in the house after that day ,even after Nani's invitation to select the jewelry and dresses. She is not your employee that you order around her Di. She has her own work to do. It was you who insisted that the engagement to be held in santhivan so do the things your own" Arnav said in not so gentile tone.

"But what's the problem if she helps me chotte? It's her sister's engagement too" Anjali questioned not so pleased with her chote's disagreement and tone which he spoke to her.

"There is no problem if she does that her own but here you expect her to do things for which you took the responsibility "Arnav answered

"But chotte you know I can't manage on my own.my leg..."

"What happened to your leg Di? I didn't find you having any problem when you were on a shopping spree yesterday. And it's not like you do the things yourself .All you do is order our servants and to coordinate everything. If you can't do that yourself tell me, I will arrange an event manager. But no one from this family will force Khushi to do things " Arnav left the table angrily.

"Nani did you see how chotte talked to me? Why can't Khushi help me with this" Anjali complained

"Anjali bitiya, I support what chotte said. I too don't think we should force Khushi bitiya to do things." Nani said .One by one everyone left the table. Shyam shook his head seeing his wife still not getting the point.

There were some other things that happened while the siblings were having conversation. Mami and Shyam have been noticing Arnav's actions for somedays. Shyam started this after he realized 'what Arnav was dong in Lakshmi nagar the day he was accused.' He has always noticed Arnav's not so usual behavior towards Khushi but he thought that was hate but he realized it was something more. He also came to know from buaji that Arnav visits to Khushi's shop often. He also didn't miss the possessiveness and anger when he was talking against his sister.

Mami started noticing her Arnav bitwa's behavior when she saw him slipping a red saree in the gift cover meant for Khushi. She had seen Her Arnav bitwa stealing glancing at Khushi ,her soon to be daughter in laws sister. That's when she started doubting where does he go even on holiday nights? She started joining dots. She decided to conform her belief before confronting her Arnav bitwa.