Dark Night Dawning

Epilogue

The doorbell at Shantivan chimed and Anjali rushed toward the door exclaiming, 'It must be them!' She opened the door to welcome the two people she owed a lot to ----her dearest brother and her sister-in-law Khushi. She hugged them both joyfully.

Khushi touched Naniji's feet and hugged Mamiji and Payal. She enquired about her little niece who Anjali told her was sleeping.

Suddenly, Naniji, Mamiji, Payal and Anjali burst into giggles as Akash tried very hard to keep a straight face.

'What's so funny?' asked Arnav even as Khushi looked at them curiously.

'We didn't know that you still remembered your lines from the Heer-Ranjha act, Arnav bitwa!' blurted out Mamiji before anyone could stop her.

'What the _____? how did you know?' he asked them stunned.

'Umm....bhai...looks like there were some news reporters at the wedding at Sheesh Mahal,' explained Akash, 'we saw everything you said on the stage just now on TV. It has become sensational news...'

F@#$! He swore under his breath, as he looked at Khushi's who had visibly paled. He walked furiously toward the stairs flipping open his phone, to call the news channel. There would be hell to pay before he was done with them!

'Chotte.... what about dinner?' Anjali asked him tongue in cheek.

'I will be back in 10 minutes Di!' he snapped out as he walked up the stairs.

Khushi joined Payal in the kitchen to help her set up the table for dinner. She had refused when Payal told her to go up to the room to rest. She wasn't sure how she was going to handle being alone with him all of a sudden. She wanted to delay it as much as possible.

Anjali was impressed at the ease with which Arnav and Khushi dealt with each other. She realized that staying together in Lucknow had worked wonders for their relationship. They seemed so attuned to each other. Her brother had not looked like this in a long long time. Her papadkatukda was ukhda no more.......

'Di, have you named your daughter yet?' asked Khushi curiously, 'When you came to Lucknow, you said you needed a little more time.'

'Yes Khushi,' said Anjali beaming, 'in the honour of her uncle and aunt I would like to name her Arushi.....'

'That's a beautiful name Anjali bitiya!' said Mamiji emphatically as other members of the family began congratulating her.

Arnav and Khushi looked at Anjali, their eyes reflecting the deep emotion they were feeling at this moment. Anjali smiled at them as if to say that's the least I could do.

After dinner, Arnav and Khushi went up to Anjali's room to see their little niece Arushi. As Arnav sat talking to his sister, Khushi stepped into the pool area carrying her little niece in her arms, talking to her about stars, singing to her. Khushi felt a pang of regret for the little girl who would have to grow up without her father. As the baby slept peacefully in her arms Khushi brought her in. As she was about to hand over the bay to Arnav, he jumped up refused. He felt she was too fragile for him to hold. Khushi looked at him weirdly, as Anjali shook her head in resignation. The Laad Governor was afraid to hold a small baby?

After stepping out of Anjali's room, they proceeded toward their bedroom. 'I told jiji I would come and meet her after dinner,' blurted out Khushi halting abruptly.

'Sure .....go ahead....I have some work I need to look into anyway,' he told her a little awkwardly raking his hand into his hair.

Khushi and Payal sat in the living room, reminiscing about how they chatted like this during their growing up years ---- until they got married. After that a weird awkwardness had developed between them because of all the misunderstanding. Soon Khushi realized that Payal was eager to join her husband as it was getting late. They hugged each other and bade each other good night.