WV-13

The Whisper Valley-13

Khushi tried Garima's number and as expected it was switched off! She must be on a flight to Coimbattore! But why didn't she even call her! Khushi thought it was not like her mom at all!

She checked the vintage wall clock on the wall whoose pendulum bobbed to and fro making tick-tock noise in the otherwise silent drawing room and it said it was past eleven in the night... everything was so quiet! 

She walked to the huge French window and peered outside! No visbility! Thick fog made the glass almost opaque and the mesh that was there showed dew drops falling down indicating the intsnsity of the fog!

She suddenly heard commotion upstairs and voices were being herad and she ran up the stairs to Devyani's room, and opened the door to find Rose struggling to get Devyani to get up!Khushi ran to Devyaani calling "Nani ji what happened?"... and saw that the elderly lady seemed to be in pain and her eyes were glazed and her tongue was lolling.

"Call the doctor aunty and Joel too" Khushi barked as she held Devyani closer...

Rose rushed out ringing for a maid to come upstairs and Devyani caught Khushi's arm tightly saying," Listen.... I need to tell you something!"

Khushi somehow felt she did not want anyone to get it and so waited for even Rose Sanders to leave!

"Nani ji I will listen to you the whole day but after the doctor checks you up!" Khushi soothed her.

"Nah bitiya listen... he is coming and Garima too,..." Nani hissed in pain...

"Oh so they informed Nani ji"Khushi thought!

"And... "She put her mouth to her ear and whispered hoarsely most of which Khushi could not make out but whatever she could comprehend made her eyes go wide in shocked surprise as Devyani Chandavar collapsed and the doctor walked in!

The Whisper Valley

Khushi waited outside in the lobby at the Remedy Poly Clinic in Whisper Valley...

They must be here any moment she thought checking her watch ... it was past two, early morning!

Garima spotted her first sitting hunched in the lobby and exclaimed," Khushi! Beta..."

Khushi ran to her and hugged her saying," Thank God ma... mummy... woh Nani ji... "

"Haan bitiya Driver bathaa raha tha... you just wait...let me check on her..."She walked in and Khushi too enterd the small room where Devyani was kept!

"Garima bitiya..." Nani was not asleep... she was struggling to breathe but was stable!

"Amma!" Garima went and hugged Nani complaining," Yeh kya?...we were supposed to spend our holiday together...weren't we?"

"No my child I am just..." Devyani consoled weakly...

"Tell you what Chotey was full of complaints..." Garima tried to cheer the old lady!

"Where is he?" Nani echoed the question which even Khushi's mind was asking her!

"He is...er... "Garima seemed to think for an answer...

"Where is he?" Devyani now panicked..

"Arey koi nai...he is just fulfilling formalities he will be here soon..." Garima supplied...

Devyani looked at Khushi and Khushi gulped hard... Devyani then looked at Garima and said

 "Garima thinking that Khushi too is my grand daughter as I consider you to be my daughter... I have asked a favour from Khushi but it needs your permission..."

As Devyani talked she developed fits of cough and Khushi rushed to call the nurse and the doctor on duty!

The Whisper Valley

Khushi could not go in later as by the time she got back the doctor was in and she was told by Garima that the doctor and Chotey were in...

"Then Graima turned to her and said," Khushi... will you... er...respect a decision taken by me if... need be? Without consulting you?"

"Yes mummy! What happened... ?"She asked...

"Well...Amma is very bad... she might not...er... survive "Garima burst into tears!

Khushi understood her mother's grief! She lost her mother when she was hardly three and Devyani Chandavar literally raised her up and she felt bad for the wonderful lady!

"No Ma! She will come through!You see!" She assured her mom.

"Lets hope so and I want to do my bit but before that I will understand if you... er... dont want to support in that..." Garima said...gravely.

"But ma what is it?" Khushi asked her!

"Will tell you... "As she was talking, Joel rushed to them saying," Ma'am will you do me a favour? Will you rush home and send Rose in that car she is supposed to get the luggage of madam!" He said referring to Devyani!

Garima stared at him in confusion...

"Sorry..its just that sir says it will be safer if you are dropped home as he might fly with Nani ji to Coimbattore for an emergency operation!" Joel explained.

Garima flopped on to the metal chair that was there in the lobby for the attendants of patients!

"Ma... ma...she will be fine. Here lets help them by going home! Its better they too are sorted about all these small details" Khushi tried to be realistic although her heart dived into her tummy- another dear one she might loose! Oh no!

The door opened and a nurse rushed out... she stopped by and said "Garima Tripathi... please go in... teh patient is asking for you...

Garima trotted in...

Khushi stood still as Joel waited...

Ten minutes and fifteen and the door opened and Garima beckoned to Khushi...

Khushi walked in and she saw that Devyani was in a very bad shape and a man was standing on the other side with his back turned towards them and was listening to someone on his mobile! He was dressed in a business suit and exuded a typical aura of that of a powerful business man!

She put her hand in Devyani's as she raised her hand in anticipation... Devyani looked at Garima and said," Kal subah... hee... After that I will do whatever you say!"

She called "Chotey!" So weak was her voice that it was hardlya  squawk!

But The man called Chotey turned  slightly but Khushi could hear the doctor approaching so she moved back a little and the doctor came in and said," I need space please and please not so many people in the room!

Garima and Khushi immediately walked out...

"Ma whats happening to Nani ji?"Khushi wailed...

"Ma'am we need to move" Joel was now panicky and so they walked to the entrance and got into the waiting car!

The Whisper Valley!

Khushi put the mug of hot tea into her mother's hands and wrapped them around the mug and sat by her and said ," Aunty Rose is sweet isn't she!"

Her mother nodded in affirmation!

"Poor thing she was so panicky but I hope we packed everything thats required.. "Khushi was talking when Garima intervened," Khushi I want to say something!"

"What Maa...?"

"You remember Amma asked you for confiramation in the hospital?" She reminded Khushi!

"Yeah!" Khushi said.

"You know for what?" Garima asked softly!

"No I don't but you said you will tell me and anyway you have given your word so I shall stick by it!" khsuhi said with conviction.

Garima smiled weakly and said "...not so easy my dear!"

"Just listen! Amma asked me ...e.r.. your hand for Chotey!" ...there she said it

"What?" Khushi got up in shock!

Garima pulled at her hand urging her to sit down!

"I know its kind of sudden... for you...but not for us..."Garima explained...much to her irritation...

You mean you both were bloody match making? Behind my... wait a  minute this whole trip was...huh????"Khushi did not spell out the obvious!

"Yes and no!" Garima said grimly!

"We thought we will let you meet Chotey and look at how you guys like each other! No paln as such but intent yes! Definitely!"She said.

"Oh mom!" Khushi was now undecided about her own reaction!"Now what!"

"Now... she says she wants to perform the marriage ..." Garima said slowly!

"What and Chotey?" Khushi asked...as a last dig attempt!

"Chotey has agreed..." Garima said

"WHAT?????" How could he?" Khushi blurted her thoughts aloud!

"Dunno! Amma always told me he did not want to marry at all infact thats the reason why she and he are at logger heads... but tonight she made him to agree" Garima went on oblivious of Khushi's turmoil...

"Perfect mom! Just what I wanted ... a man who is not interested!" Khushi said loudly!

"Khushi but you are no better! You never wanted to matty remember!" Garima said slowly!

"Correction Mrs. Tripathi! I don't want to get married" Khushi said!

"Then now ... how... will I?" Garima was suddenly crest fallen...

"Is that what you promised Nani ji!" Khushi silently ptrayed it wasn't so!

"GGGGGOOOOOOODDDDDDDDD" Khushi bent holding her tummy wrapping her hands round it in a typical style and flopped off on the sofa!

"Mumma! I can't... why...cant you.. oh How could you?"...She was short of words!

"Ok! I will try reasoning tomorrow if it gets any better Khushi! Now I want to rest!" Garima was suddenly off! Khushi immediately checked her hands and they were cold! She had not fully regained her stamina! 

Khushi was  worried for her mother but she took her to her room and settled her there and heard her phone ringing as Joel called saying that the house was secure and in his absence a ,man called Aman Mathur would be taking care...

"Aman is his right hand man" Graima explained.

"Whose?" Khsuhi asked... 

"Chotey's "Her mom said...

"Oh! So What now mom!" Khushi asked...

"Lets wait for the morning Khushi! Keep your mobile on and in full volume mode" Garima reminded her and then dozed off as Khushi stared at the ceiling with flourescent willows hanging from it!

The Whisper Valley!

"Khushi!" Garima called out to her!"Please get up!"

"Good morning mom!"She said and asked "...any news?" 

"Yeah! She is...her condition worsened and they are flying her to Coimbattore"Garima said...

"But how..." Khushi enquired knowtting her hair up!

"Chartered"Garima said and said "..er...get ready Chotey is coming and he says he wants to talk to you!"

"What?" Khushi was frozen to the bed!

"Khushi "Garima suddenly held her hand..." Please listen to him and just be good! Amma is his only living family!He was there in Mumbai when I needed help! Will tell about it later!"

"Now! What happened out there?" Khushi was adamant!

"I had some stuff to which Amma asked... that she told me Chotey's office will take care off...you know I need not carry it across...

But when I called to intimate the office,I was talking to this Aman when I had a panick attack and fainted" Graima pasued "...and Chotey rushed to me and you know the rest!Thats all!"

"But today you just listen! See... later we can say no or whatever!" Garima said edgily!

Khushi nodded...it made sense! She would say ...lets wait till she recovers and then we shall decide

"OK ! Let me get ready!" She said with a heavy heart!

The Whisper Valley

She wore a peach coloured sheer kurtha with a same coloured satin inner with the sleeves in the transparent fabric with an apple green bottom and combed her hair into a pony tail and checked her appearance in the mirror that was hung in the far corner of the study!

Where was Chotey!

The phone rang on the desk and she did not know what to do! Joel was not there and neither was rose.. she picked it up after the ninth ring," What the hell a deep voice boomed through which said... whats the delay... listen call Ms. Tripathi..."

Khushi said"...er... hello...this is Khushi here"

There was a pause on the other side as whoever it was did not expect her to take the call...

"Khushi?" He asked and his voice seemed somehow familiar!

"Ji" She said.

"Ok! Nani is bad... worse in fact and... we need to get married like now... "His voice came crisp and very sgharp!

"What?" khsuhi was shocked in earnest!

"Yeah... I ill be at Masani Amman's temple in ten minutes!" He was going on!

"Just come with Garima Maasi and Aman! The pandit will be there, I told him and we will finish the rituals and then I will fly her to Coimbattore" the voice told her...

"But.." Khushi wanted to speak to him....

"Is Aman there?... and also Garima Maasi... want to talk to her"... he was just going on...

" Wait a  minute..." Khushi almost yelled...

"I ... Marriage as in..." Khushi tried to question him...

He seemed to get irritated by the minute! "Excuse me I do not have time as you know.."

"But...This is my life we are discussing on the phone..." Khushi wailed,...in protest...

There was silence on the other end and then came his voice cold and cutting...Its my life too... Ms.Tripathi!And My gran is about to die! I would do anything for her! Anything! Just tell me what you want to get married... I give you my word I shall give you that! Would it help... if you know that she had already written her share of the property to my wife...?"Khushi could make the disdain in his voice very clearly!

"The old woman is fast loosing grip on her life and may be this would do the trick! The old coot has refused to go for an operation without this..she now finally could bend me to accept this...stupid... aer...errangement..." He sneered!

"And tell you what the doc says there is a 50% chance of success... now thats why I just accepted whatever she said... lets do it for her happiness!And if you do not value that, I was sure you I will divorce you in due time depending on her recovery and with all alimony paid! I shall take care of you for the rest of your life!Don't worry about your life... It will be taken care of..."

It was a statement!

"But... I ... we are... supposed to get married...How can we I don't even know you!" Khushi asked straight!"

"We do! And we are going to! You...don't know me? Really?" His question and the cynical laugh made her feel very odd!

"Now I have asked you right royally! If you don't accept then I shall anyway...I have my own means...coz my gran should survive this bloody operation and for that she needs loads of will power... So if you won't agree...... Its up to you!" He said with cold anger in his voice.

"Now call Aman and ask him to call me!" The phone went dead as Khushi held on to the receiver in daze!

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