PART 31

''Arnav ji,look!That's the constellation saptrishi!Isn't it beautiful?You'd think that someone has encrusted little diamonds  on inky black.''Khushi said dreamily, her eyes fixed above.

She had been babbling on for past several minutes,appreciating the  city while ASR looked at her in amazement.He had always seen Delhi as boring and monotonous as a monochromatic photograph,yet now as he heard her praises he couldn't help but admire the city himself.How could he have missed out so m any things?He could as well have been blind!

As ASR keenly observed khushi,he found that she was one of those very few persons who were capable of seeing the silver lining even in darkest of clouds,who painted others lives with bright colors of happiness and gaiety.

''Khushi,what's so interesting about these stars?I mean they are nothing but distant,cold bodies which are absolutely barren!''ASR asked curiously.

He had never understood people's fascination with stars or other celestial bodies for that matter,except for scientific research.Khushi frowned.

''Don't say like that Arnavji!Stars are one of the most beautiful gifts that the God has endowed on us human beings.They are our assurance,our guardians.If they were gone,how will we feel their love?''Khushi asked almost rhetorically.

''I didn't understand what you are talking about!''ASR admitted glibly.

''Arnavji,don't you know that the people who die eventually become stars so that they can look after their loved ones?''She asked.

''That's a load of crap khushi!People who are dead,are gone forever to never to come back!''ASR said more forcefully than he had intended.

''Love doesn't end with death Arnavji!It can never end.People who love us stay with us wherever they are!We can feel them......I can feel them.''Her voice was a bare whisper and she clutched ASR's hand hard,her nails digging in his skin,but he didn't flinch.

''My parents.''Khushi said abruptly.

''What?...But you...you live with your parents then?''ASR was shocked.

''There are my foster parents.My Ma is my mother's elder sister.They looked after me after the death of my parents.''Khushi said quitely.

''I'm sorry khushi!''ASR said anguished.

Khushi blinked hard to prevent tears from brimming over.She would've cried had it not been for the expressions on Arnav's face.

''You don't have to be Arnavji.In a way I'm lucky.You see,I've a family who absolutely adores me and parents who stay with me like shadows.That's why I love stars Arnavji.''She said earnestly and looked up at the clear black sky.

For a while no one spoke,each lost in their thoughts.Khushi unconsciously moved closer to ASR.Suddenly she spoke.

''Do you know Arnavji,when I was a child I used to think that these tall buildings could touch the sky....I used to think that if I climbed to the top of one of these,I will reach the sky and meet my parents....''She smiled faintly.

ASR could see through her smile.Though she pretended to be a happy-go-lucky girl,deep down she was just an innocent child who missed her parents terribly. ASR couldn't bear pain behind that smile and his heart ached.He was determined to bring her smile back.

''Khushi,come on I've to show you something.''He pulled her along and opened the food packets kept on table.Delicious,moth-watering smell wafted in the air.

''Aloo ke parathe,jalebi and aloo tickii!''Khushi squealed,her smile growing into an ear-to-ear grin.

ASR sighed in relief to see his plan work.

Khushi gorged on her favourite food,enjoying it immensely as ASR sat in front of her contented.

His childisn,crazy khushi was back!

Later that night as Arnav Singh Raizada laid down on his bed,he recalled every moment that he had spent with khushi with a deep satisfaction.

He had never in twenty eight years of his life,had a more gratifying night than the one which had just passed.....