PART 24

The following days passed by in a flourish.ASR gradually recuperated and was soon discharged.

Meanwhile the protracted period was quite irritating for khushi due to frequent popping up of Shyam.His visits started another round of heaping praises from buwaji,giving momentum to her thoughts of him being the perfect match for khushi,to the latter's great anoyance.

Khushi simply started avoiding Shyam.She didn't know why,but she got a strange skirmish feeling whenever he was around her.Still her attempts usually went in vain thanks to her buwaji's tenacity and more so Shyam's knack of sticking to her like a glue.

''Maa where are my shoes?''khushi yelled,running around the house with Payal at her heels,feeding her breakfast.

She had overslept and now was running late as a repercussion.

''Its there in the shoe rack!''Garima called from the kitchen.

''Khushi sit down and have your breakfast properly!''Shashi said,watching her run around the house collecting her things like  a maverick.

''Papa,I don't have time!That laadgovernor will bury me alive for being late!''she whimpered,walking around like a tornado.

''Hai rey nandkishore!This Sankadevi will surely bring the house down someday!''Buwaji muttered,clutching her head.

''Khushi chased down her breakfast with a glass of milk,making absurd faces,but quailing under her Mom's glare and rushed of to the door.

She wrenched the door open only to find herself looking at Shyam.

Damn!She cussed her fate.

''Good morning khushiji!''he greeted her rather cloyishly.

''Uh yeah Good morning!''Khushi replied unenthusiasticaly.

''Hai rey nandkishor!Are  Sankadevi you lifted the entire house on your head saying you were getting late,then why are you standing at the threshold,talking to......Are Shyam babua you!''Buwaji's face immediately changed.

''Why are you standing there at the door?Come inside....Are Parmeshwari move!''she pushed khushi pulling Shyam inside.

Shashi got up and came striding into the living room.

''Shyam?''He glanced at khushi's face.

''To what do I owe this early morning visit?''he asked politely,though he had little doubts.

He had noticed Shyam's extreme preoccupation with khushi and sensed her irk and anger at that.

''Nothing uncle!I was just passing by so I thought to drop here and meet you all.'' Shyam said with a smile.

Buwaji's face lit up.

''Maa,I'm going .....''Khushi began,trying to make her escape,but was cut short by Shyam.

''Khushiji are you going to office?I mean,I'll drop you.I'm going that way!''he offered.

''No thanks Shyamji!I can drive.''She blurted immediately,trying to hide her chagrin.

''Are why not?Shyam babua will drop you...You go with him!''Buwaji ordered.

''But buwaji....''

''Khushi go!''

''Come on khushiji!''Shyam smiled,opening the door for her.

Khushi stepped out in the buttery sunlight,fuming.She had no option....

ASR parked his car in the parking lot and advanced towards the escalators when he saw another car coming.

He stopped in his track and looked,his anger mounting with every passing second as he watched khushi with another man,smiling down at him.....