AAD Chapter 5: A Matter Of Pride

Firstly, I apologise for being late on updating. I have written half of the next chapter, so the more comments I get the faster I will update. Secondly, I apologise for this chapter as I whole. I don't know why but I think it's not one of my best pieces and frankly it's a bit crap. Thirdly, I want your opinions on something; should I make a separate blog for this story or leave it in this blog? Let me know what you think. As always, thank you for the comments on the last chapter. Enjoy :)

Chapter 5: A Matter Of Pride

Khushi opened her eyes to find a commotion and closed them again. She didn’t understand what was going on but she knew she definitely wanted more sleep. The background noises were getting louder and she could feel pain all over the back of her body. She opened her eyes to find a teary Payal looming over her. She tried to sit up but Payal gently pushed her back down.

“No Khushi, you need to rest some more.” She said softly.

“No she doesn’t!” screamed Buaji. “Get up you disgusting girl.”

Khushi was hauled to her feet and dragged towards the door.

“No Buaji! This isn’t Khushi’s fault.” Payal said as she ran after Buaji.

Buaji let go of Khushi, who slid to the floor. “How can you say that? After everything you’ve heard. After your father had a heart attack and you’re still protecting her?”

“Buaji, how can you believe a stranger over family?”

“Because there’s too much evidence to show what a filthy girl she truly is. Besides, I always knew her true character.”

“Buaji!”

“I told Shashi babuwa not to take her in and now look what’s happened. I won’t allow her to stay in this house a minute longer.”

Khushi hadn’t said a word all the way through this, she was in too much of a daze. She was hauled to her feet again by Buaji and was dragged to the door. Payal decided to try a different approach to convince Buaji not to throw Khushi out.

“Buaji what would the neighbours think?”

Buaji stopped in her tracks and looked at Payal. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’re throwing Khushi out in broad day light and making a big fuss about it. People will start to talk. Imagine if they found out you kicked her out because of this scandal. People might think I’m like that too and then I’ll never get married.”

Buaji thought for a while before coming to a conclusion. “Fine. She gets to stay, for now.”

She let go of Khushi and walked away. Before Khushi could slid to the floor again, Payal lunged and grabbed her to keep her up.

“What’s going on Jiji?” she asked wearily.

Payal helped her to the nearest chair before answering her question. “I don’t know who cast the evil eye on us but you fainted and Babuji had a heart attack.”

That seemed to wake Khushi up. “What?! Where is he? Is he alright?”

She tried to get up but Payal made her sit back down. “For Devi Maya’s sake, sit down. We called the ambulance and they should be here any minute.”

“How did this happen?” she said in a quiet voice to no one in particular.

“Just after that horrible man left, both you and Babuji hit the floor. Thank Devi Maya that you weren’t out for too long, I was really worried.”

Finally, it all came back to Khushi. How that devil from the Sheesh Mahal had brought their house and how he had manipulated everything to buy her too. And now he had caused her father’s heart attack and made her whole family turn against her. At least her sister believed her and that was what was keeping her going.

Don’t focus on what he did. The main thing is her Babuji’s  health.

“I want to see Babuji, Jiji. Don’t argue please, I’m fine now.”

Payal lead her to the living room where her father was. She rushed to her father’s side, ignoring the death glares from Buaji. She couldn’t stand to see her loving father lying there lifelessly.

She burst in to tears. “I’m so sorry Babuji. This is all my fault.”

“You’re right this is all your fault.” Said Garima.

“Amma?”

“No Khushi. As soon as your father starts getting better, I want you to pack your bags and leave. Don’t tell us where you’re going, just leave. This evil has fallen on our family because of you and I’m certain that if you leave it will go away.”

“Amma! How can you say that?” asked a shocked Payal.

“It’s true. Since the day she came here she’s been nothing but trouble. I wanted to get her married off as soon as possible but your father said that she was too young and that you needed to get married first. And now she goes and does something like this. It’s too much Payal. I want her out of our lives.”

“No. I’m not going to let that happen and neither is Babuji. I can’t believe both you and Buaji believe that bastard over our Khushi.”

Before anyone could say anything else, the ambulance had arrived and the paramedics loaded Shashi in to the back of it. Garima and Buaji decided to ride with Shashi, while Payal and Khushi followed behind in an auto.

“Jiji-”

“Khushi, it’s going to be ok. They’re just angry and that’s why they’re saying things they don’t mean. Give them time to cool off and then tell them everything you told me. I promise they’ll see differently.”

Sheesh Mahal

Arnav was feeling thoroughly pleased with himself. He thought he had sold a pretty convincing case for Khushi’s family to give her to him. He was confident that by the end of the week, she would be his. He was about to get himself a drink to celebrate when his phone rang.

“ASR.”

“Sir, you know how you asked me to keep surveillance on that house you just brought.”

“Yeah, why?”

“An ambulance just left from the house.”

Arnav frowned. “Are you sure Aman?”

“Positive sir.”

“Do you know who was in the ambulance?”

“No sir.”

“Well find out and get back to me.” He snapped.

“Yes sir.”

Arnav’s conscious was starting to awaken. Of course he wanted Khushi at all cost but he didn’t want to hurt her family. He knew enough about growing up and living in a broken family to know that he wouldn’t wish that upon anyone. 20 minutes later Aman called back.

“What did you find Aman?”

“Shashi Gupta has had a heart attack sir.”

A prang of guilt passed through Arnav. “Shit!”

“Sir?”

“What’s his condition?”

“I called up the hospital; he’s not stable yet.”

“Crap. Ok, Aman, I’m going to need you to pack and get here as soon as possible. I’ll send over the helicopter.”

“May I ask why?”

“I don’t like to be questioned Aman, but since you asked nicely, I need you to run some errands for me.”

“Yes sir.”

Shekhar Hospital, Lucknow

Khushi, Payal, Garima and Buaji were all waiting outside the emergency room. Garima was crying and Buaji was trying to comfort her as well sending death glares to Khushi. Tears dropped silently from Khushi’s eyes as she sat there staring in to space and Payal was trying to be strong for her entire family. After what seemed like forever, a doctor came out of the ward. They all rushed to see what he had to say.

“Don’t worry, Mr Gupta is perfectly fine. He’s in a stable condition now.” They all breathed a sigh relief. “But he still hasn’t regained consciousness and we’d like to keep him in for observation. Tell me, has he been under a lot of stress lately?”

Buaji and Garima turned to glare at Khushi so Payal decided to answer the question. “Yes he has. We’re going through some financial troubles lately, that’s why he’s stressed.”

“Ok, we’ll take that in to consideration. I only asked because he doesn’t have a history of heart problems. Anyway, is one of you would like to stay with him over night you can. And if he recovers quickly, you should be able to take him home in a couple of days”

They all thanked the doctor and let him go. Garima decided that she was going to stay so Buaji went home to get some things for her and Shashi. Payal and Khushi decided to go to the temple to thank Devi Maya for their father’s stable condition and to ask to speed up his recovery.

Payal and Khushi had just exited the hospital when Payal thought she heard some one call her name. She dismissed it and continued walking until she heard it again. She turned to look for whoever was calling her and found a man walking towards her in a suit. She had a bad feeling about him and just knew that he was some how connected to that Arnav guy.

Payal turned to Khushi. “Khushi, go to the temple without me ok?”

“But Jiji-”

“Khushi go! I’m right behind you.” Payal made sure that Khushi got on an auto before she turned back to the man. “Who are you?”

He looked slightly startled but answered the question. “I’m Aman Mehta.”

“What do you want?”

“I want to have a chat with you.”

“Are you connected with that Arnav guy in any way?” she asked in suspicion.

“Arnav Singh Raizada? Yes, I’m his assistant.”

“Then I don’t want to talk to you.” Payal turned to walk away but he grabbed her hand. “Don’t touch me!” she bit out.

“I’m sorry.” He let go of her hand. “Sir sends his condolences for your father.”

“Thankfully my father’s not dead, so you can tell him to stuff his condolences.”

“He’ll be glad to hear that nothings happened to your father. He has told me to pay for the hospital fees.”

Payal gapped at him. “How dare he?! We don’t want his dirty money! After what he’s done, he thinks money and “condolences” will solve everything? We don’t need his help, we can take care of ourselves. So you can take his filthy money back to him.”

With that Payal stormed away. All thoughts of going to the temple flew out of the window. She now only had one thing on her mind.