The Reason

DINNER TIME - DINING HALL

Everyone are chit chatting and eating except Khushi. Mami and Anjali are happy with gifts from their husband. The gift got by Arnav is still not opened.

Anjali – Chote what have you got? (She teases)

Arnav – Some random thing. You know that I did this for you... (He did not want to behave suspicious)

Anjali – You at least brought gift, that is enough.... I have kept the last year's gift safe too (winks at him) Khushi Ji...come here help me open the box (Arnav just glares at Khushi...who come and starts unwrapping)

Khushi – You got 2 gifts? (Happily opening the box)

Anjali – No .. this is for Chote's wife....show me what has he got...(Khushi slowly lifts 2 bangles)...wow so pretty

Khushi – Arnav Ji is married??? (Arnav gets cautious.... what if she connects dots? He acts to be angry. He can't let truth out yet)

Arnav – Enough.... I don't want this topic to be discussed... Di...if you continue dragging this unwanted chapter then this is the last time I would get any gift...

Anjali – Ok.... I will not... (Signs zipping mouth)

Khushi – Why Arnav Ji she is dead is it?

Arnav – Khushi.....(He shouts at her assumption but composes)I said I don't want this topic to be discussed.....can't you get this into your head? If I hear 1 more word regarding this by anyone, it won't be good (He walks off leaving half done dinner)

Shyam – Saale saab....(But Arnav was gone by then. Shyam looks at Khushi) You should not cross your limit....why did you speak about his wife like that?...you are an employee here.

Khushi - I will ask him sorry....I dint mean to hurt him

Akash – Khushi Ji....it's not good to go near bhai when he is this angry....

Mama – Yeah Khushi... he loses control and say very bad stuffs...leave him ...he will be fine by morning...

Khushi – Ok...he left his dinner for my sake at least let me take some milk for him.... (Anjali tries to stop her but Nani stops Anjali. Khushi gets a glass of milk from kitchen and walks towards his room)

Anjali – Why Nani?

Nani – He can't bash out on Khushi like he does with us....she is not family. At most he can do is shut his door. But if she can make him drink that milk, he will not starve. So, let's see what happens. No harm in letting her try.

Shyam – But Nani ji.... She is just a....

Nani – Damad Ji.... let's not judge her....

ARNAV ROOM

He is angrily walking left and right. Thinking to himself

Arnav – I just lost it.... How dare she question me if my wife is dead? I am already in fear, and she made me lash out.... why did I even listen to ma and dad? what a wife she is?

Khushi walks in with glass of milk. He is about to scold her again, but she talks before him

Khushi – I know I shouldn't have asked about your wife.... especially should not have assumed she is dead.....(He closes his fist but she speaks further) you need not scold me again.... I am sorry.....I should not have spoken like that without know about her.... but you please drink this milk.... (She keeps the milk glass walks off not even waiting for his answer....)

Arnav – She is so weird.... But why I am feeling better after her explanation... (He starts drinking milk and checks his message) what the.... Look at the attitude.... (smiles at the anger she had shown through the message) so...she is not an easy nut to crack. What do I do? I have to be careful. Can't reveal things in heist. (he types back)

Ok.... sorry I brought up the topic of money. See I can't be your husband, no matter what was told to you. But surely can help you as a friend...hope you think from my end also. I was forced into this marriage by my family...

He has to keep her away for now. Till he finds out the real danger to his wife. So he decides to lie her. Khushi was getting ready to sleep and checks her message and replies with frustration.

Ok, as you wish. I tried my best, now I am also off this. If you could have denied this relation before marriage. I wouldn't have to go through this trauma...

She gets an immediate reply from Arnav.

Sorry. I can't change the past but will be careful now on. How do you happen to make living here in Delhi...if not money I could help you with job. In Delhi or Bangalore. Do let me know.

She replies

I stayed and worked in ashram, use to pick up some small part time jobs to help myself for basic needs...as I needed time to search you, I couldn't get into a full-time job... I have done graduation so will find a full-time job once I am back to Bangalore and settle down. Convey my wishes to your parents...they showered so much love to me the other day before we got married....

Arnav is surprised that she is unaware of his parents' death. He just replies

Ok fine

Khushi extends the conversation

I have kept all jewels safe in a locker in Bangalore.... I don't want to use them... you can let me know the time and place to return. Since you don't want to meet, send any of your acquaintance with an identification. I don't want to keep any burden. Sooner we end this better for both of us.

Arnav smile at her indirect taunt. His wife is not as naive as he assumed Khushi to be.

I will collect it when I need. You can keep it with you for now. So, you stay in ashram?

He wanted to extend conversation and know more about her current feelings in his house

Khushi – I informed I use to stay, such a absent minded professor you are. Currently I stay in a house...where I work as caretaker for a pregnant woman. After coming here, I got to know how a joint family will look like... I miss my parents...had my sister not eloped.... everything would be so different...my parents may have been alive.

She sends the message and drifts to her memory

FLASHBACK

Shashi and Garima has found Aashi's letter in room a day before the wedding.

Mummy, Papa.... I don't want to get married now...I just finished graduation, and I have my own dreams. I have already chosen my life partner. I am sorry I am going away like this....

Aashi

Along with Shashi and Garima, Arvind and Asha are worried too...

Arvind – Shashi, you know how important this marriage is. what will we do now? I need the signature on these papers at the earliest.

Shashi – I know.... We have left our surnames and hiding our identities. You went a step ahead adapted your in law's surname to get this sorted. Only your son's marriage to my daughter can end all this.

Asha – Yeah, I don't know why Arvind's grandfather and your grandfather signed the treaty.

Garima – It's not only about the money and luxury. It's about taking the pride of the family ahead. We can't let the Gupta and Mallik ancestors wish unfulfilled. We are royals, we should be ready for sacrifices but cannot allow a wrong person to get throne.

Arvind – Yes if we fail today...everything will get into evil hands.... which won't let the souls of our ancestors be at peace. Cant let some morons play with our family pride and fool the government.

Garima – Yes Arvind Ji.... What if Aashi run away.... we will ask Khushi to marry. Anyway they are sisters.

Shashi – Garima...Khushi is not like Aashi.... she has her plans and

Asha – Let me talk to her...

Arvind – But Asha

Asha – Afterall she would be Chote's wife... She deserves some talking from me...which will help her say yes...