Chapter 15

Part 8

Garima: I cant believe this Shashi. She likes Arnav?

Arnav looked aside as he too wasnt in a situation to believe it. He knew she liked him but LOVE. She said that, didnt she?

Shashi: How can she even think So? She thinks her immaturity is even capable for being Arnav's wife?

Garima: But we gave her that ideas Shashi. If you arent forgetting then it was us who always told her that we would like to see Arnav as our Son in law because he was perfect.

Arnav: Uncle, Aunty? Please chill down. I know she said all that in a hurried state. SHe just wanted to cancel this proposal which Uncle got. Thats it.

Shashi: I know my daughter more than you Arnav. She was worried no doubt in that but may be she really felt what she meant.

Arnav : Well . In that case Uncle I think I should meet her then. Can I?

Shashi and Garima looked at each others faces and then agreed for Arnav to see Khsuhi and sort this matter.

______________

She couldnt believe she just said that down. Arnav? Her dream man is Arnav? Uhh.!!! Was that even true? She sat on the chair, pushing the woods in to fire and warming up her body beside it. Her room door was knocked and she knew it would be some maid asking her what she would prefer to eat. She immediately took the pillow in her hand and the moment the door opened she threw it on the one who entered.

Khushi : I dont wish to talk to anyone. Leave me alone.

It was good that Arnav held the pillow firm before it could hit his nose. He always expected unusual things to happen like this when Khushi was around. She was shocked.

Khushi: Arnav?

Her tone was low and her eyes looked aside as he stepped in.

Khushi: Arnav I am sorry for what I said down. I know I shouldnt have told all that to Dad and Maa. But believe me I really was shocked to see dad fixing my marriage like that.

Arnav: He has a right over you Khushi. He is your father.

Khushi: And my Wish? My Dreams ? Shouldnt he consider that too ?

Arnav: How will you understand if your father was right or not in choosing a groom for you unless you talk to that man and know what he is?

Khushi : You telling me that Arnav? You? You think this is easy for me? You think I can meet any random guy and marry him if he is of my type?

Arnav was silent.

Khushi: Sometimes you have to ignore your likes for others Arnav. And I guess I have already done that. I am least interested in anyone else other than.

She stopped uttering anything and looked down.

Arnav: Other than?

He came forward while she had no reasons to stop herself from continuing. She sometimes was so confused with her real self and the one she was faking to him that she didnt know what to believe and what not to? She didnt know if she really liked him and wanted him to be her partner or was she still in a mode to play with his heart only because her parents liked him and preferred him in all respects. She didnt know if she was really a girl who can marry someone and settle a normal life? She didnt know even to make a single cup of tea. Will that ever affect her somewhere in future? SHe was lost in her own questioning round and he was exactly one meter away from her.

Arnav: Khushi do you really meant what you said down? You ? You LOVE me?

She looked in his eyes and tried finding her answers in them. These hazel eyes always attracted her, his toned physique was something she would like to cherish even in her dreams, his smirks were to die for and most importantly his touch was so soothing enough that any girl would die on his one plead. She touched his chest with her palms and then moved forward towards him. He had no idea what she was doing.

She continued touching him all over his chest and then his neck, moving upwards and stopped at his broad shoulders. She remembered how they both were lost in each other on their way back to Simla. She too was in a giving in mode last night and if she wasnt wrong then she was not faking it. Was she really attracted to him so much? Will she able to give a chance for someone else to come in her life other than him.?

"No" she mumbled and he was confused on why she said a NO? He just asked her if she loved him and she replied a NO? Then why was she touching him like this? Why did she want to feel him ? What were her true intentions??

Arnav: You dont love me ?

Khushi looked in his eyes and she could see a need for an honest reply in them. She noded a NO being firm enough.

Khushi: I dont know if its Love . But I like you. And I am telling this with my heart Arnav. Its hard to get a true response from Khushi Gupta because she likes faking things at times. She is proud of herself and she wants the world to be in her fists, in her control. But for the first time, I can feel that fist being opened so that my palm can create a space for you to hold. I like you Arnav. Since the time I have started knowing you personally , I like you. Does that even mean anything to you? Does that even move an inch of your heart muscle?

Arnav never heard such a confession from any girl to him before. She was defintaly unique and he knew that from the beginning.

Arnav: I can feel my heart beating Khushi as always, the only difference today is I can feel your beats too with it. What is that suppose to mean? I am not a guy who will ever get attracted to a girl that easily. But I did get attracted to you. Because I feel there is something connected between us. I am reserved, I am not much into relationships and I fear nothing but losing my heart forever to someone. Then why do I still wish to lose this special place to you? I dont know what Love is. I just know it resides in each one of us. So do you wish to give it a try and see if this works??

Khushi was very happy internally hearing this and this happiness wasnt fake.

Khushi: What if it doesnt work.?

Arnav: We can try again.

He smiled and she hugged him very tight to her body. She never had seen such an optimist person in her life. He was perfect for her. Her parents were true. This man was perfect for them as their Son in law. He waited for some seconds to believe she just hugged him and then wrapped his arms around her securedly the same way as she did pulling her closer to him. Everything seemed new to both of them. They just hugged each other like that decently and then pulled back. Both trying to find their next words and finally Khsuhi broke the ice.

Khushi: Uhh. Have you seen Simla before?

Arnav: No. I havnt seen it much.

Khushi Thats great. We should go for some sight seeing then.

Arnav : Yeah.

He smiled and the next question that popped up in his mind , he couldnt wait from asking her.

Arnav: With Uncle Aunty? Or Just us?

Khushi gigled .

Khushi: Upto you Arnav. I am not scared to be alone with you. And you know that.

He was actually controlling his smirks while she said all this. But he knew this was just a start and everything should be progressed slowly not like what they tried to do the last night in that Hut.

_____________________

Shashi and Garima were happy to know that Arnav and Khushi wished to give a chance with each other and start a relationship . Though that wasnt marriage , they still knew it would turn out to be marriage at the end. And they had full faith in Arnav, no matter what.

It was not possible for Arnav to stay back in Simla and enjoy the vaccations with the Gupta's as he had some urgent work piled up in Delhi and hence he returned back but not without promising Khushi to see her after she comes to Delhi. She was happy. She could see things changing within her since the time she committed herself to Arnav with her will and not fake it.

_____________________

A week later - Delhi

Shopping Mall

Khushi was busy in checking some Shirts for Arnav at one counter when suddenly she found one. A White shirt. Just like he wears all the time. Not all but most of the times. She picked the shirt from the rack but it was pulled by some other lady from the opposite end too.

Khushi: Its mine, I am buying it.

Anjali: But I liked it before you.

Khushi: Find something else Dear because its for a very special person .

Anjali smiled at her and left the shirt.

Anjali: What if I say the same?

Khushi: Change your mind.

Anjali: Why should I? You too can do that.

Khushi: Look Maam. I really have chosen this for my Boy friend and this is his favourite colour. Dont mess with me or else.

Anjali was angered seeing her attitude and way of speaking.

Anjali: Or else what?

Khushi knew only one way to get this matter stopped here. She thought of scaring this lady to hell/

Khushi: Or else I will cast a magic on you which will never allow you to gift anything to your special person. Now excuse me.

Anjali was shocked. Magic? Was she mad? She went back to Arnav who was at the opposite end and stood beside him in anger.

Arnav: Any problem Di?

Anjali: I dont know whats wrong with today's generation girls. They think they own everything.

Arnav: You fought with someone?

Anjali: Forget it Chotte. I will fetch something else for you.

She moved little aside and Arnav continued looking out for some watch for Akash to present him on his birthday which was this weekend. Khushi saw him there and was delighted at this coincidence. She was seeing him after almost a week. They only talked over phone and never met when he was back to Delhi from Simla. Thats the reason she was buying him a present so that she can gift him when they meet today.

She moved across Anjali whom she yet didn't knew was Arnav's elder sister and kissed Arnav's cheeks surprising him of her presence in this Store.

Khushi: Hi Baby, didn't expect to see you here.

Arnav shockingly looked at Khushi and then glanced at his sister who seemed to be blown by this scene.

Khushi: And why didn't you reply to my message? Itna time lagta hai kya decide karne mein ki where are we meeting tonight? (Does it take so long for you to decide where will we meet tonight?)

Before Khushi could go on with their private talks, Arnav turned her towards Anjali.

Arnav: She is my sister Khushi, Anjali Di. And I am here for this little shopping with her.

Khushi hiccupped seeing the same lady whom she just fought over the next counter. Shit. Why the hell was God challenging her like this? She told about all that magic to his sister?

Khushi: Uh. I should leave. Bye Arnav.

She was going but Arnav caught her hand and stopped her.

Arnav: Khushi relax. Di is not going to eat you up.

Anjali was confused on the bond that these two shared.

Khushi smiled at Arnav and then gulped her tension.

Khushi: Then probably you dont know Arnav , me and your sister just fought over the other counter . I am sure she wont be interested in talking to me.

Arnav: Fought? Wait a minute. Di? Is she the one?

Anjali: Who is She Chotte? First tell me that.

Arnav; She is Shashi Uncle's daughter. Khushi.

Anjali: And?

Anjali wanted to know what relation this girl and her CHotte shared.

Arnav: And. umm. We. . I mean me and Khushi. No. Khushi and me.

He was mixing up words which Khushi didnt like.

Khushi: We are dating.

Anjali got a 100000 volts shock knowing this and she terribly looked at Arnav to know if this was true.

________________