PART-64

Payal walked back and forth in the gallery near the back door as she waited for khushi and ASR for Akash had just called and informed her about their reaching there any moment.She felt pretty churlish as she pondered over the conundrum named Shyam in tensed silence.

Apparently buaji had called Shyam home when she tried to call khushi for umpteenth time and her call couldn't get through.She started having kittens and was bantering at the top of her lung,until Payal had called Akash and he had somehow assuaged buaji's temper,giving some trifle excuses.But it was Shyam's outburst that had raised her suspicion.

As soon as buaji had told him and the others that Khushi was with Akash,working on some important case,he had nearly shrieked through gritted teeth and tempestuous spleen that Akash had lied,that Khushi was with ASR. Though,the family had ignored it after Shyam had stuttered some badly-constructed lie,with buaji fondly referring it to be caused by stress and possessiveness,Payal who had known the truth was highly unnerved.

She was anxious about her sister's safety.Was that creep of a man keeping tabs on her little sister?The question made her highly restless and she had immediately shared her worries with Akash for she couldn't possibly be the cause of her father's anxiety by confiding her suspicion with him.

Her dubiousness and restlessness had further increased when,though Akash had tried to use fairly nonchalant and dulcet tone,he hadn't been able to hide genuine anxiety in his voice.She knew something was terribly wrong and was squared to have a word with ASR.If he truly loved her sister then it was a matter that he should be aware of!

 

Suddenly she heard a gentle rap on the backdoor and nearly flew and wrenched it open,her mouth hanging down at the sight in front of her.Khushi was cradled in ASR's arm and slept serenely while he was holding her as if she were something that would break at the slightest of jostling.She followed him inside and watched appraisingly  as he lowered khushi on the bed.

Payal could clearly see the love and absolute adoration in ASR's eyes for khushi and knew with renewed conviction that he was just the man for her,that finally her crazy,erratic and hair-brained sister had done something mature and sensible by falling in love with a man who was perfectly capable of looking after her.

 

"Arnav ji,I have something really important to talk with you."Payal began hesitatingly,as soon as ASR was done with ogling at khushi.

 

"Yes what is it Payal?"ASR asked curiously.It was the first time that they were having a conversation more than mere courtesy.

 

"Its about khushi....and Shyam."Payal said,looking for his reaction.ASR's eyes darkened and his hands balled up into fists as he heard that rascal's name tagged along with his khushi's.

 

Payal narrated the entire incident to him and was quite literally frightened by the look on his face.It was murderously angry!

 

"Don't worry Payal!I'll look into the matter and I assure you that  his sick plans to court khushi or marry her will never succeed.I'll surely look into the matter!"He assured her as gently as he possibly could,but his voice was still taut and strained.

ASR looked at Payal and knew that she was still anxious and was touched by her possessiveness and unquestionable love for khushi.

"I won't allow anything to happen to her Payal!"ASR tried to sooth her to which she nodded gratefully.

ASR and Payal were flexed to save their khushi from anything that conspired against her!