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Part 10 Fooling a Fool...

Subhadra was hoping from the earth to sky, thinking that she fooled Arnav. So, there won't be any hurdles to make her wish of bringing a Royal heir as a Bahu to the Raizada family come true. But...

Lucknow

Aman was looking at Arnav, sitting beside him, letting his mind calm down. Arnav raised his head.

"Why should I trust them?" He asked shrinking his eyes.

"What do you mean ASR?" Aman questioned him not getting him.

"The address is given by my Dadi. What if this is a drama directed by her?" he asked thinking deep.

Aman's face brightened as he also was thinking the same.

"But how could we find whether she is playing or not?" Aman asked.

"Let me check..."

"How will you check?" Aman asked curiously.

"Come..." Arnav stood.

"Where are we going buddy?" Aman asked, following him.

"If she lived here or eloped with someone, the area people should have known about it..." Arnav said.

"And her mother died just because she eloped with someone...then the people should have spoken about it for sure." Aman added a point from his side.

"Exactly...let's inquire about it."

They saw a tea shop which was next to the bus stand. A few men were chitchatting, while having tea and reading newspaper.

"ASR, we can't get such a place to collect the details." Aman said pointing at the tea shop.

"Is it?" Arnav asked who never stepped into this kind of area as lived in abroad.

"Yes, ASR. This is the place where people used to gossip about everything before the whatapp groups found. (he chuckled) People talk everything and about everyone here. " Aman said the history of the tea shops.

"Let's go then"

Arnav and Aman came to the tea shop.

"Excuse me..." Aman distracted them.

They understood, seeing them instantly that they are strangers to the area.

"What do you want?" A man asked.

"Where are you from?" Another one questioned.

"We are here to meet a woman." Aman said.

"Who is that?"

"Garima her name is..." Arnav said.

The men glanced at one other.

"Garima? We have not heard the name ever before..."

"This is the address." Arnav handed them the address.

"Arrey... this address is near to the bus stand."

"Yeah... Garimaji and her daughter are there only." Aman said.

"I think someone gave you the wrong address. Maybe, the area would be changed. There is no Garima in this complex." A man in forties said.

"How could you say that so confidently? They could be here without your knowledge..." Arnav asked.

"No way... This is our area. There can't be anyone in this area without falling in our eyes." A man said and other agreed to it.

"In this address, there are four families... they are here for years..." another on said.

"Didn't you hear a name Chutki ever before? She is Garima aunty's daughter. " Arnav asked.

They frowned...

"Garima and Chutki....? No... we never heard those names." They said confidently.

Arnav looked at Aman thoughtfully.

"Shall we take these men to the complex and prove them wrong?" Aman asked in a low tone only Arnav could hear.

"No...let's go. Thank you." Arnav thanked the men and started walking.

"But why ASR? This is the best chance to catch your Dadi." Aman said.

"Catchiing her is not important. We can do it anytime. She is thinking that she fooled me... let me fool her in the same way." He said wrathfully.

"What do you do?"

"I'm going to search for Chutki by my own." He said sternly.

"That's great but how?" Aman questioned.

"I will go to their old house again and will inquire in the area. At least, one person would have known about them." Arnav was confident about it.

"What are you going to say to your Dadi?"

"I will say the same story the man in the complex said. And will make her believe that I believed her."

Aman chuckled.

"Your Dad asked you to join in AR... what about that?"

"Yeah... I will join in AR and will search Chutki... you too join me. I need you." Arnav asked Aman.

"Sure..." he readily agreed. Aman knew Arnav has no one other than him in India.

"Let's get back to Delhi... don't know what else she had been done." Arnav said wearily.

"What about your marriage? Why did she make you married to someone?" Aman asked.

"I too don't know that. Whatever, it will come out one day."

Arnav stopped walking.

"I want to meet a good astrologer. I want to know about my horoscope... most probably about my Dadi."

"We can get hundreds of Astrologers in Delhi. I will arrange one." Aman said.

"Not one. Arrange three..."

"Three? For?"

"What if he is a fraud?"

Aman chuckled.

"Suspecting to this extend is not good buddy."

"I just want to be right."

"Done"

They got back to Delhi. Arnav entered RM and saw Subhadra and Ratna in the living room. Ratna was serving tea to her mother-in-law. Arnav walked in, keenly observing their expression. We should appreciate Subhadra who didn't even show the curiosity in her face. But Ratna... she rushed to her son excitedly and asked,

"Chotte, did you meet Chutki? How is she? Have you brought her to Delhi?"

Arnav kept his face rigid. He sat on the couch, throwing his coat on the floor angrily.

"What happened, Chotte?" Ratna panicked.

Arnav closed his face with his palms.

"Chotte... why are you silent? You are making me scared..." Ratna said panicking.

"She is gone, Mom..." Arnav gulped.

"What do you mean, she is gone? Is she.... Died?"

"It will be better if she would have died... but..." Arnav's concentration was on his Dadi.

"But what?" Ratna asked nervously.

"She eloped with someone..." Arnav said gritting his teeth while noticing his Dadi by the corner of his eye. Still, there was no expression on her face. Arnav wondered inwardly.

"Whaaaat!" Ratna exclaimed unbelievably.

Arnav nodded yes and stroked his hair by his fingers frustratingly.

"Are you sure, Arnav?" Subhadra asked sadly.

"People who are in the complex told me... Garima aunty passed away last month, falling ill because of her daughter's deed." Arnav faced tough time to lie.

"Don't be upset Arnav... don't waste your time to worrying for a girl who doesn't deserve it."

Arnav was silent. Ratna touched his shoulder painfully.

"Go somewhere to relax your mind..." Subhadra suggested an idea.

"I'm not in the mood to go anywhere..." he said wearily.

"Arnav you are a prince... there are many princess in India. You no need to worry about the girl..." Dadi said.

"I'm not worrying about her... why should I worry about her? I'm not an idiot to waste my time on someone who doesn't deserve my respect."

"That's it..." Subhadra appreciated Arnav.

Ratna was gazing at him with an unbelievable expression. He is not her son who went to Lucknow with a lot of dream. Maybe... Chutki's betrayal changed him. But she couldn't believe Chutki eloped with someone because Garima's upbringing is not questionable. But, Arnav has no reason to lie... definitely not in Chutki's matter. What would have happened? She gulped hard not getting anything.

Arnav went to his room and entered into the washroom for shower, taking his casuals.

When he out of the shower, he saw Ratna waiting for him. He smiled at her but she didn't. She was reading his face.

"Chotte... do you believe those people who said about Garima and Chutki?"

Arnav smiled inwardly. Thank God, his mother is not his Dadi's side.

"Why not, Mom?"

"They may misunderstand... or they may lie..." Ratna said hesitatingly.

"What's the reason for them to lie?" Arnav questioned.

"I don't know Chotte... but... (she paused for a second) did you inquire in the surroundings?" She asked in a feeble voice cautiously.

Arnav nodded NO, pressing his lips, looking at Ratna.

"What a man you are Chotte? Don't you know to double check?" Now also her voice was feeble even though she was anger.

"Why are you whispering?" Arnav asked her as if he didn't know the reason.

See, what he is bothering about... Her tone? She sighed.

"I can't understand how you take it easily..." Ratna said disappointedly.

"I don't take it easily... at the same time, I don't want to think about it anymore and I don't want to spoil my life."

Arnav saw dissatisfaction on her face.

"Chotte... Chutki can't be wrong. I know them. Shashiji and Garima valued morals..."

Cutting her,

"But their daughter..." Arnav said sadly.

"No Chotte... something must be wrong."

"What could be wrong?"

Ratna sighed. How could she tell him that her mother-in-law is wrong?

"Mom... you don't have to worry about me. I will be alright."

Ratna looked at him pitifully. Why God is examining her like this? She knew the truth but she can't say. She has to do something...

They saw Arvind coming... he looked gloomy. Subhadra should have told him everything it seems.

"Chotte, when did you come?" He asked painfully.

"Just now, Dad."

Arvind wondered, seeing Arnav calm.

"I can't believe Shashi's daughter could do that."

"Just leave it Dad... I'm already fed-up." Arnav said wearily.

"I'm sorry Chotte, i..." Arvind tried to console him.

"I need distraction... I just want to make myself busy in something. So, I and Aman are joining in the AR..."

"You are most welcome." Arvind said gladly.

Arnav nodded yes.

Subhadra Raizada who overheard their talks spilled a winning smile and left the place.

"Let's go..." Arvind said to Ratna.

She left the room, looking at her son helplessly.

Arnav dialed Aman.

"Aman, we are joining AR tomorrow."

"I will be there at 9o'clock."

"Done"

Subhadra Raizada was floating in the ocean of dreams. She called Kamini and told her about her achievement and got appreciation from Kamini.

"Very Weldon, Subha. You have proved yourself."

"Thank you." Subhadra said proudly.

"When will you make my granddaughter Rohini meet him?"

"Just wait for a while. Arnav needs time to come out of the issue completely. He is joining AR. If he gets busy in AR, he will forget the girl"

"Ok fine. Whatever it is... I will help you."

"Thanks"

They disconnected the call. The two old ladies started, planning about the future. But they didn't know they will get only disappointment.

Next day

Arnav occupied the AMD seat of AR.

"God bless you Chotte..." Arvind handed him a flower bouquet.

"Thanks Dad." Arnav took it from him.

"This is your first task, Chotte." He gave a file.

Arnav opened the file given by Arvind.

"There was an interview in AR yesterday. Our manager has been selected a few candidates for three departments. Just appoint them."

"What about you Dad?" Arnav asked formaly.

"I have a sight visit today."

"Oh ok..."

They heard a knock and Arnav asked the person to get in. The person was Aman.

"He is my friend Aman." Arnav introduced him.

"Hello Aman..."

"Hello Sir."

They shook hands.

"Dad, I would like to have Aman as my PA."

"It's your wish Chotte." Arvind said.

"Thank you sir" Aman said.

"Ok, guys, you carry on. I have to go."

"Bye Dad."

Arvind left the AR.

"Anything you got to know?" Aman asked.

"My mother is not my Dadi's side."

"That's real great."

"Yeah... but I don't say anything to her."

"Why?"

"She will become normal if I say the truth. I need a performer in RM."

Aman chuckled.

"What's next?"

"Dad asked me to appoint a few new comers."

"Oh, then start."

Arnav called the manager Nirmal.

"Yes, sir..."

"Bring the appointment orders."

"The selected candidate will come to your cabin sir."

"Ok send them one by one."

"Yes, sir."

Aman took a seat beside Arnav and Arnav started issuing appointment orders.

The third and last person knocked on the door to get permission to enter the cabin.

"Come in..." Arnav said.

The person entered. Arnav stood on his feet with a shocking expression on his face. Aman frowned, seeing him standing. Arnav's next stance made not only Aman but also the person confused.

"Are you alive?" Arnav uttered, looking at the person.

The person perplexed at his Question.

What the readers guessed it right. Of course, the person is Khushi Gupta.

To be continued...

The next part is available on Inkitt

Chotte Malik

Khushi couldn't understand that WHAT type of question is this? Usually, only friends ask this kind of question for fun if their friend had not messaged them or not meeting them. But... there is no reason for AR's AMD to ask such a question to the person who is here to get his signature in the appointment order.