Chapter 11

Thanks all sorry I’ve not had chance to reply to all your individual comments but big thanks as ever.Read all your comments so keep posting. 

Here’s the next chapter.

Chapter 11

Just Avi and her fiancé now left at the dinner table, sweet nothings, tiffs all loud and clear to ASR who sat at the other side of the table pausing for a moment  having finished his meal to send a quick email. 

And when are you two planning on getting married he poised a question deliberately to stop them bickering. 

It worked there was silence for a split second whilst both love birds looked at one another.

Soon..one said and not decided said the other to which ASR raised his eyebrow over his mobile phone screen. 

His eyes made conversation with his little sister asking her if she wanted him to intervene but she replied with a no thanks. 

Per nature sure to keep a eye on the matter ASR notices something more as he moves to leave the dining table.

Whilst Hp cleared away plates from their meal there was one in particular that seemed untouched. 

Like food had been moved around the plate but very little consumed.

“HP, who’s plate is that?” Not so clear now that Hp had cleared the set up somewhat. 

“Khushi bhabhi ki, replies Hariprakash to which Arnav takes particular note of.

...

Elsewhere in Raizada house Khushi who has had a very mixed sort of day tries to gather her thoughts. 

First waking up to a different phase in their relationship post intimacy, all the silly nerves she’d harboured for some reason around him and now all of sudden a feeling of relief but wonder on what was next now his business trip was cancelled. Lastly the new faces in Raizada house, All of this however positive despite overwhelming and to remind her of this was a very warm pair of motherly eyes.

Nani - catching Khushi as she walked the corridors towards her room  through a ajar door like all grandmothers she had a knack for understanding when one was in need of comforting.

Calling her closer with a smile Khushi couldn’t ignore.

Walking into the room Khushi finds Nani sat in front of what looks like a old photo album in bed. Sitting beside her on invitation Khushi is intrigued by the age old photos and the people within them familiar.

“Yeh aap aur dadaji hai” (Is that you and grandpa?)

“Yes” says said with a smile.

Looks just like Arnav doesn’t he she claims with another rosey cheeked smile.

Arnav certainly did look like his grandfather.

Khushi nodded surprised how traits could be passed down generations. 

Kya veh dadaji jaise hai

“Nahin ..your grandfather was soft spoken, gentle..kuch batien Zarur Milti Julti hai. They have the same values and certainly share looks.”

Kya hua Khushi beta..? Nani asks seeing Khushi lost in thought.

Hiding her thinking behind a smile she could hardly explain that she’d seen Avi and her fiancées relationship and wished hers would be like theirs. 

“Kuch Nahin Nani, - Nothing.”but Nani isn’t fooled. “aap na unki baton pein Nahin unke iraade par dhyaan dijyey..”

(You ought to focus on his intentions rather than his words and actions Khushi.) 

Opening her eyes to something about Arnav Singh Raizada that was extremely important to know.

His words a little harsh and his actions too at times but his intentions always pure. 

...

Khushi shut the piano cover for the evening. 

Ready for tomorrow ? 

He asked casually knowing that she was still fluttering around him nervously after last night. With her piano note book to chest and the Weather turning breezy at the pool side Khushi nods a yes and is about to walk past him when her stomach makes a soft roar no doubt in hunger. Avoiding his gaze as she tries to cross over to the other side of the room he catches her hand firmly. 

Unexpected of course he feels her fidget and wilt uncomfortably as she turns to see what he’s after.

“You’re more nervous today than I’ve seen you before marriage.”

Feeling his hand wrapping around her wrist his tight hold and her tremble. “I’ll not let go till you settle” he makes clear Keeping hold of her seeing that’s she’s lost for words.

He watches her rather intently and few  seconds on does he step a little closer to take her other hand within his. She takes a glance his way. Later does he place both of her small palms  on the chest of his shirt and looks down at her with captivating eyes. 

“Not so bad is it?” He says and it wasn’t  but it was awkward for her. 

“Im sorry woh “..she apologised yet again, 

Hame laga ke aap Business trip par jaonnge tab tak the nerves would go away” 

“You were looking forward to me leaving were you?”, he raises a eyebrow.

“Ji Nahin .. im pleased aap Kahin Nahin jaahrehe” ( no I’m pleased you’re not going)

As much as he tried it was inevitable that there was distances between them and sex had only made Khushi more distant it seemed. 

Changing the course of the conversion he looks at her hoping she wouldn’t see through him. 

“I’m hungry Hps food didn’t hit the mark this evening, make me something.”

In his own manner a request with some authority. 

..

Walking down into the lounge both Arnav and Khushi come across Avi and Anuj sat at the sofa watching a movie.

“You guys want to join us my first Indian film in ages got Salam khan in it.” Says Avi who is eating from bowl of popcorn between words . 

“No thanks but Khushi likes him” to which Khushi looks at her not believing he’d said that out around in front of others.

“What, ? He looks at Khushi you have a poster of him in your old room don’t you.

“Had one”, tha - she says as Arnav walks towards the dining table. 

What happened asks Avi to which Khushi responds. 

“I married your brother.”

Awh ... Avi stresses watching Khushi walk away to find Arnav who had a head start.

...

“What would you like to eat” she’s asks of him As he takes a seat at the table. 

“You choose.. want help ?” He didn’t seem bothered after all she was the one who he wished would dine.

“Nahin It won’t take long.” She promised heading to the kitchen she didn’t want him to be seen helping her, Khushis mother had always taught her it was odd for a husband to have to help in the kitchen and inconvenient too!

He watches her from the table behind his mobile phone and the odd glance towards the telly on the other side of the lounge.

He watched her tie her hair up in a bun, wrap her Saari pallu aside to show of her waist a little. His young pride was beautifully innocent. 

She was quick and when the food was ready she bought it out in two instalments first the plates and cutlery and then the food containers.

She laid out his plate served food and stood behind his chair. 

“Sit down,” he asked of her so she did.

After which she watched him put food in a plate for her which surprised her.Aap khayey” (“you eat”) she tried to defer him but failed. 

“Not alone..” he said pouring her water.

Maybe Nani was right thought Khushi his ways might have been a little rough on the edges and transparent but there was thought behind his action. 

.. 

At a distance Avi noticed the couple and whispered to Anuj.

I think somethings the matter with ASR and Khushiji

Anuj doesn’t agree, “look fine to me” but Avi knows better.

....

Back at the table seeing Khushi eat puts ASR’s mind to rest but he is still to work out how he ought to bridge the distance between his wife.

...

Next chapter 

“Looks like Khushiji has a secret admirer”

says Avi as she collects from the door a bunch of flowers. ASR hearing at a distance looks on sternly.