Chapter 4

The doctor hands over Khushi’s discharge papers to Arnav.

Buaji asks Arnav: Bitwa, I think we should take Khushi with us to our home. She doesn’t remember that she is married, so she might get uncomfortable at Shaantivan.

Arnav tells Buaji: Buaji, Khushi needs urgent care. She needs to have the comfort of Shaantivan. We will take her there and tell her that Payal wants to have Khushi with her. She can stay in the guest room and we will all take care of her.

They agree to that solution.

Khushi is discharged from the hospital and taken to Shaantivan with Lacy as her nurse.

When she steps out of the car and sees the imposing structure of Shaantivan, her eyes widen. She whispers to Payal: Jiji, is Jijaji very rich?

Payal gets surprised at her question. But Aakash gently smiles and answers: We have money, but Khushiji most of these are all the results of Bhai’s hard work.

Arnav comes behind Khushi just in time to hear her reply: If he has so much money, then why are his eyes so sad?

Arnav smiles sadly to realize that how easily Khushi can read his mind just by looking at his eyes even after losing her memory.

Payal and Aakash look at Arnav in sympathy and take Khushi inside. Nani stops them at the door as Anjali brings a thaali of Aarti to welcome Khushi again in the house.

Khushi gets surprised at such an elaborate welcome for a mere guest. But she gets happy thinking that her Jiji got such a lovely family to get married into.

As she enters Shaantivan, she keeps looking at everything wide eyed.

Anjali smiles at her child like wonder. She comes forward and says: Khushiji, I’m Anjali. Arnav is my brother and Aakash is my maternal cousin. But you can call me Di like everyone else.

Khushi smiles at her.

Naniji comes forward with a smile: Khushi bitiya, I’m the eldest in the family. I’m Arnav’s Nani and Aakash’s Dadi. You can call me Naniji too.

Khushi bends down to touch her feet.

Mamiji comes forward: Hello hi bye bye. Phatti saree, I mean Khushi bitiya, I’m Aakash bitwa’s mother and Arnav bitwa’s mami. You can call me Mamiji too.

NK comes forward and introduces himself: Hi Khushiji. I’m Nandkishore. But everyone calls me NK. Aakash and Arnav are my cousins.

Khushi’s eyes brighten up. She moves her hands: Oh wow… Then Buaji will like you very much. But I will call you Nanheji. Okay?

NK’s eyes widen at Khushi’s same reaction to his name almost half a year ago. His eyes fill with tears and he slowly nods unable to speak.

HP, OP, JP come there and say: Khushiji, we are Hari Prakash, Om Prakash and Jay Prakash. We are very glad you are here.

Khushi smiles at them too.

Suddenly, Khushi frowns and asks: Naniji, do you have a swimming pool here surrounded by plants?

Arnav was about to go to his room but stops in his track at Khushi’s question. He turns and sees that Khushi is frowning and trying to think.

Naniji nods with happy tears in her eyes: Yes, bitiya. We have a pool upstairs. It’s attached to Chotey’s room. But you can see it from guest room too. Your room is right across from Chotey’s room facing the poolside.

Khushi nods with a smile. Lacy comes forward and informs everyone that it’s time for her rest. She takes Khushi upstairs to the guestroom.  

Later in the night:

Khushi gets up from the bed suddenly restless and goes to the window. She sees the moonlight shimmering in the poolside creating a magical place.

Khushi suddenly feels this unknown pull towards that place.

She walks towards Arnav’s room and knocks. But there was no one.

She slowly walks in and goes to the poolside. She was wearing her white salwar and her dupatta was left loose over her shoulder. The moonlight covers her in a white shimmery glow. She looks up to see a blanket of stars twinkling around the moon.

ASR comes out from his washroom wiping his face with a towel when he feels Khushi’s presence. He drops the towel on the recliner and walks up to the glass door to the poolside. He sees an angel standing in the midst of moonlight glowing like a moon beam.

His heart sighs and whispers her name which vibrates through his soul: Khushi.

Khushi suddenly turns to the glass door where Arnav was standing and asks in clear voice: Yes? Did you just call me?