PART 45

''Garima we need to persuade khushi!I've had enough of this running around all sorts of low lives of Society.Its high time that she gave up this bumkum and get married!''Buwaji said as she paced the length of the room,while Garima sat on a nearby a pouffe.

It was 8 o'clock in the morning and buwaji and Garima had stayed back at the hospital to look after khushi while Payal and Shashi had gone home to get fresh and bring breakfast.Doctors,after pronouncing khushi's rate of recuperation as excellent,had give her sedatives to put her to sleep. 

 ''I opine with you jiji.I won't be able to survive if anything happened to my daughter!But what to do?Khushi is so adamant and even Payal and Shashiji support her too!As for her marriage,we need to find a suitable groom....'' Garima was cut short by an incredulous buwaji.

''We don't need to search a suitable groom for Sankadevi.We already have one! Shyam babua is just perfect,such a gem of a boy!He even likes our Khushi and his family too has such a good reputation in the society!''Buwaji ranted.

''Shyam babua...but jiji Khushi doesn't like him.I mean,she gets so uncomfortable whenever he's around and after what happened that day...well I don't think that khushi will agree for the marriage!''Garima expressed her doubts,trying to subtly voice her resentment and refusal for the alliance.

Garima too had noticed Shyam's growing infatuation or rather possessiveness for khushi.She had seen manic,malevolent glint of envy whenever khushi talked with other men,howsoever innocent the reason maybe.Still she had ignored it,thinking of it as an illusion.Yet,the day Shyam had misbehaved with khushi,she had gotten an irrefutable proof of his wrong intentions.She shuddered at the thought of her daughter spending her entire life with that man and a premonitory chill ran down her spine.

''That's ludicrous Garima!You know it well,that girls have a knack of feigning hypocrisy to hide their like for a man and Shyam babua is such a well-mannered, cultured boy!Its impossible that khushi won't like him!They will look so perfect together!''Buwaji said dreamily.

Garima looked at Buwaji's lost expressions and she sighed in resignation.No amount of coherence could alter buwaji's opinion.She was utterly besotted by Shyam!

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''Khushiji,how are you?I was so worried!''Shyam said,trying to take her hand in his.

Khushi flinched away from him,barely hiding her displeasure.

''I think you should leave this police job dear.At least not for your sake then your family's!What would've happened to them-if God forbid-something awry had happened to you!''Surinder Manohar Jha said concernedly.

It was evening and the father son duo had come to see khushi much to her discomfit.

''Job of Police is not a bed of roses,Surinder!Don't misunderstand me,for I'm worried for my daughter's safety too,but if everyone were to step down then there won't be any police or army.Patriotism would be a mere term,not an overpowering feeling of jingoism that sets every nerve afire!''Shashi argued.

''I could never bring myself to grapple with your perceptions Shashi!''Surinder leered with a mocking smile.

''Uh khushiji,I brought this for you.''Shyam put a bouquet of freesia and orchids on khushi's bedside cabinet.

''Its so beautiful!Shyam babua,you're so thoughtful!''Buwaji gushed,ruffling Shyam's hair affectionately.

''Thank you.''Khushi said insipidly.

Suddenly the door opened and Akash and ASR came striding in.

''Oh,we'll wait outside.''ASR said formally, apologizing for intrusion.

''Not at all son!Please come in.''Shashi jumped.

''Meet my friend, Surinder Manohar Jha, and his son Shyam and he's S.T.F. chief ASR who saved khushi's life and his brother Akash.''Shashi introduced.

ASR  and Akash glanced at khushi simultaneously and then shook hands with the father-son duo.ASR grasped Shyam's hand tighter than necessary,giving him a glare.

''How are you l'll sis?''Akash asked smiling at khushi.

''I'm fine!''She replied.

ASR tore his eyes away from Shyam and Surinder and went up to khushi.

''This is for you.''He said quietly ,placing a beautiful bouquet of red roses near her.

Khushi looked at it and her eyes lit with joy and awe.

Shyam  clenched his fists in fury.