Dark Night Dawning

Chapter 14

It was a few weeks since the entire family had returned from Musoorie. Everyone had started to observe that something was wrong with Khushi. She was overworking herself taking care of the dabba business, doing all the household work and taking tuitions for the kids in the evening. She seemed to be losing a lot of weight and there were dark circles around her eyes.

One evening, Naniji and Payal sat in Anjali's room talking to Anjali.

'Anjali bitiya,' said Naniji lines of worry creasing her forehead, 'I am worried about Khushi. Outwardly, she seems normal but there is something definitely strange about her behaviour. At first, I thought that she was just missing Chotte. But it is something more than that. I see a deep pain in her eyes sometimes. I wonder if it is something to do with Chotte.....'

'I feel the same thing Naniji,'agreed Anjali, 'I can't be sure, but I think something happened between them in Mussoorie. The way Chotte left the hotel in the middle of the night, I think they might have had a fight that night. Another thing is, I think he hasn't been calling her though he manages to make quick calls to me now and then. Payalji, has she said anything to you?'

'No Di,' said Payal in her soft voice, 'She said she was fine when I asked her about it.'

'I think I will talk to her about it,' said Naniji coming to a decision. 'The way she is losing weight, she will vanish into thin air one day. Anjali bitiya, I think you should talk to Chotte the next time he calls you.'

A gleam of comprehension entered Shyam's eyes as the stood at the door eavesdropping on the conversation. His brain began to work over time. Looked like Arnav had finally revealed the truth of the marriage to Khushi. And seeing Khushi's condition it had become very clear that he had not believed in her explanation. Khushi's interference had ruined the wonderful opportunity he had had to get rid of Arnav. But, this information could open up new avenues for him.

That night, Payal sat in her room thinking about the conversation in Anjali's room. Khushi was definitely in some sort of trouble. Was it something to do with Shyam?

'Payal?' Akash had just walked into the room, 'What's the matter? You look so worried.'

'No Akash, there is no problem. Why don't you change and I will come serve you dinner.' Guilt gnawed at Payal at the secret she was keeping from Akash. She wondered how long it would be before all this came out and blew up in their faces.

A month later, Khushi sat in her room thinking about that fateful night in Musoorie when Arnav had walked out of their room. She had tried not to think about it in the past two months - the most agonizing two months of her life. Everything in the house reminded her about him, his clothes, his plants, his files, his towel, his recliner. She had lost her appetite and was unable to sleep well, his memories coming back to haunt her in her dreams. There were too many memories in this house. She needed to get out of here!

She had wanted to leave the very next day. But she knew she couldn't do that to Anjali and Payal. So she had decided to wait it out for a couple of months. She had called Shuklaji and told him that he would have to manage the dabba business on his own. She would be telling her tuition students today that she was going to stop taking classes very soon. She had removed all traces of herself from his room and had packed all her belongings. Khushi felt sad at the thought of leaving her new family. She had grown very attached to Di, Naniji, jiji, jeejaji, mamaji and even mamiji. Di would deliver her baby in another week or so. After that she would be out of his life for ever. She had never wanted to stay in a loveless marriage any way.

Her time spent with Arnav had taught her a lot. She wasn't the naïve 22 year old who had crashed his fashion show almost a year ago. Now, she was a strong and mature woman capable of running a business however small. She had made up her mind.